THE CHILD OF 
THE NATIONS 

LUCY McDowell milburn 




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COPYRIGHT DEPOSnV 



THE CHILD OF 
THE NATIONS 

By Lucy McDowell Milburn 



1914 

R. R. DONNELLEY & SONS COMPANY 
CHICAGO 






COPYMGHT IOI4 
BY 

LUCY Mcdowell melburn 



NOV 28 1914 

©CIA388608 






TO MY HUSBAND, 
JOSEPH ANTHONY MILBURN 






PROLOGUE 

Great priest of the moon-god, Ptah-Hotep called, 

Whose earthly body lies beside the stream 

Of Nile, near Memphis, but whose words of wisdom 

Live and find their way to many lands; 

Who after various incarnations here 

And elsewhere clos'd th' circuit as the poet 

Homer, who from Chian isle did wander 

To Asiatic shores, where 'mid the scenes 

Of which he wrote he liv'd and died almost 

Unknown, yet lives to-day throughout the word, 

Rever'd and lov'd by all who know his verse; 

Who came, but not in earthly guise, to help 

Th' Roman Vergil write the wand'rings of 

^neas; yet not satisfied in giving 

Man these great, immortal poems, still 

Desir'd to pen another message when 

Th' brain and hand made ready to receive 

Prophetic word should come: it is not strange 

That he should seek an instrument to-day 

On shores where liberty is larger than 

In other lands; nor that in coming to 

America a woman he should choose; 

For here a goddess holds the light as truly 

As the pole in Athens Pallas held. 

Why the great, immortal Homer came 

To me, I cannot tell; but when he came 

And how, I shall relate. 



The Child of the Nations 



Much worn and sorely tried, my little bark 

Upon a sea of doubts borne round and round, 

My spirit faint from having tried to both 

Row and steer o'er life's rough rock, I sat 

One long, lone night, and pray'd and wept and pray'd 

Again with strong desire to rend the warp 

And woof that shut me out from light. Then having 

No more tears to weep and no more prayers 

To pray, like child so very tired of having 

Its own way, very quiet I grew and listen'd. 

I heard naught save the throbbings of my heart; 

Then at the portal of my palace knock'd^ 

For never had I been within. The door 

Was straightway open'd; out fell all my doubts. 

My self-will and my misery. Then said I, 

"Lord, wilt thou not enter in^ and do 

With me as seemeth best to thee?" Then having 

Plac'd my trust on God and Him alone, 

And promis'd in the presence of my soul 

Not to rebel wherever He should lead, 

A deep, sweet peace fell 'round me like a mother's 

Arm, and soon a soothing sleep was mine. 

Th' carolling birds awakened me, and made 

Me feel their note of praise; the water gurgling 

Said to me, "Come drink, thou knowest now 

Th' crystal fount whence inspiration flows"; 

Th' fleeting dawn lent me her rosy robe. 

Then I arose and put my hand in his, 

My guide's my heavenly Father sent to help. 

One whose bidding I should do with will 



Prologue 

Quite trustfully. Then looking up I saw 

A patient, self-controlled, godlike man, 

So gentle, firm, yet kind. "Materials gather," 

Said he, "that I with you a lasting lay 

May build for time to come. This way you will 

Not come again; so leave behind you thoughts 

That will enrich the world when much that now 

Is valu'd shall have passed. Write of children 

That the nations are by thought producing; 

For like individuals, peoples when 

United create their offspring. Nations few 

As yet have coalescing ideals. Many 

Have conceiv'd an ideal child, but one 

Only has produced.^ Write of Him, 

Of others yet to be; but most of all 

Write of child that will exist when wars 

Are over, when a universal law 

Binds all; and see perchance if you can look 

Beyond the day, and know what lies before." 

"Am I then chosen as a prophet; that 

Your wish for me?" I humbly asked, knowing 

That prophets suffer anguish oft of spirit, 

And always have sad lives. My thought my guide 

Could read though unexpress'd, and for me suffer'd. 

Then said he, "Let us hope it shall be so," 

And handed me a cross some larger than 

Th' one I wore. " If you would gain a crown 

Of laurel while on earth, you needs must wear 

A heavy cross. If you would prophesy, 

You must be persecut'd; for those who see 



The Child of the Nations 



Beyond what others see are shunn'd of men, 

Regarded as unsafe, unsound, and only 

In future ages prais'd." 

If any words there be herein contain'd 

That help mankind, that throw a light on smallest 

Grain of truth, or ope the door, let praise 

To him, my guide, be given; th' flaws and faults 

Assuredly are mine. My prison walls 

Reflect but blue; the full white light would blind; 

A mortal but a partial ray can have. 

How gladly would he speak to me more clearly; 

His full voice deafens me. His touch is gentle 

When more I've wish'd to see and hear and feel; 

Then Semele's^ sad fate I do recall. 

"Write hexameters, as Daphne^ wrote of old, 

Call'd by you to-day a double trimeter. 

Some will say you've lost the beat, but know you're right; 

And others soon will follow where you lead the way. 

Freedom in your style is good, but liberty 

Of thought far more important is. Be fearless; tell 

Truths which telling you must bear the scofiing of 

Th' crowd, yea, e'en ingratitude of friends, the stigma 

Of insanity perchance; yes, surely, if 

Of our company you come to be, for poets 

All by men of shorter sight have been deem'd mad.' 

As bearing torches into darkest dens men feel 

Th' foulness, dankness, and unwholesomeness of deadly 

Vapors, which have not yet risen high enough 

For harm yet will in time destroy, so poets see 

Intellectual ills far greater than the noisome 



Prologue 5 

Pestilence, which will, if not annull'd, destroy 

Th' freedom of the human mind. 

Then bravely write of that you know is truth; for no 

One, not even Over Here, knows all the truth; 

God to each one gives a portion suited to 

His need. The more you give the more you gain; so freely 

Tell the message now intrusted you, e'en though 

At times it seems to contradict historic page; 

For fuller light is coming now to all who study, 

With no prejudice, the laws of planet life. 

And truly love their fellow-man." 



CANTO I 
Beginnings 

Before creation's dawn, before its eve, before 
Th' visible Universe came forth, an uncreated 
World there was, the kingdom of the Most High God, 
O'er which the Almighty One held sway supreme. As yet, 
Not begotten. The Creator.^ 

Before all worlds (which means before created worlds^ 
As suns and moons and planets), God in His own image 
Made, not th' fleshly tabernacle of the man, 
But mankind, in tenderest love His offspring breathing 
Out. Some whole He formed, likest to Himself; 
More were made in halves; while many were but partial 
Gods, mere atoms of His being, yet in substance 
One and form'd to be hke Him.^ 

Th' host of heaven were angels called, while the whole 
Beings, archangels, were denominated Lords. 
Th' eldest of the begotten sons did in rebellion 
Lead a nimiber of the heavenly host against 
Th' will of God the Father. Harmony thus arrested, 
Th' atoms were dispers'd; attraction and repulsion 
Began. When all were not of one will — call it warring 
If you choose: it was not peace — yet as in heaven 
No strife can be, these angels and their leader fell. 
Not to a bottomless pit, not into endless misery, 
But into outer darkness which they made by their 
Self-will, for all oppos'd to light must e'er be dark. 

7 



The Child of the Nations 



Though to God the darkness and the Hght are qiiite 

Ahke, to those outside of God there is no Ught. 

Still the Father loved his rebellious offspring; 

He would not they should stay forever from His side; 

He ne'er desir'd to punish them, but wish'd to bring 

Them home again. By th' way prescribed some were ready 

To come, but some were still antagonistic and 

In the darkness sought to found a kingdom. So 

Now began the creation of the worlds that were 

To be the fields of battle for th' opposing hosts. 

By the Father's loving hand were stars sent out 

To guide His erring children Home. 

From the source of light were thrown great brilliant balls 

To illuminate the sky. In time these flames 

Dividing, fire- and water-stars became, which orbs 

Are known as Saa- and as Fedrus-Stars. The fire 

Or father stars were able to produce. They threw 

Off portions of themselves which from the mother stars 

Attracted water,* thus fecundated formed a third 

Part which we call earth. This triune body able 

Itself to reproduce we name a sun. Not all 

Are suns that by this name are called.^ Some stars are still 

Electric lights^ and some are yet all fire, as th' male 

Progenitor of our sun, the famous Polar Star. 

Around this father star in swift procession his 

Children and their progeny go. 

One group, Taurus nam'd, is far away from home. 

Helios, our sun, midway stands, while Ursa Major 

Nearer is; yet all are far from the star that gave 

Them birth. These three as yet are all the systems that 



Beginnings 

Hold life, as we term life, and on these three the human 

Kind came simultaneously. The Polar Star, 

Our great Saa father, stationary now 

Is, as if to say. At heaven's gate I wait 

For my children. Long, so long, must he wait — 

For Helios, as we know, is not through giving birth, 

But now in throes of travail is. 

All the planets of our Uttle system must 

Do their work, return their earth and ashes also 

To the sun before his fires can burn their fullest; 

Then be quenched, and in turn great Helios fall 

Into his father's arms. And not our sun alone 

But all the suns he has produc'd must fall, when their 

Day is ended, into the arms of the Saa Star. 

Many children are less ready to come home 

Than Helios who has not made one circuit of 

His orbit 'round the parent star. 

With our short sight we cannot even count the children 

Of our sun. Some known in earlier days have slipp'd 

So far into the shadowy world we see them not; 

Some are known to-day that were not counted years 

Ago. Not longer are Hyperion's rays, but lenses 

Man has made that do augment his sight, and planets 

That upon their paths have sHpped come once again 

In place and enter on the race. 

Poseidon of old again is on the heights, nor held 

Below the waters by his angry brothers; Neptune 

Shines though not so brightly as does Jupiter. Also 

Uranus once more upon the chart of sky is named. 

Like men, male planets are more easily reinstated 



lo The Child of the Nations 

Than their sisters. Where is dear old Amphitrite? 

Lost? No, only fallen for a time, and Rhea 

Takes her place, as cradle most desirable for 

Th' himian race. The Earth we sometimes say, that other 

Planets are of earth as well as fire and water 

Unawares. Our Mother Earth, the planet Rhea 

Is not the only home for God's erring children 

As they make their pilgrimage through the sky. Before 

Rhea's day began, on Jupiter, on Venus, and 

On Mars at one time came mankind; that is, in form 

Of man they came, for elsewhere potencies they had 

Develop'd, necessary to form a human body. 

When on Rhea souls first lived, in the rock 

And jewels of her bosom they were hidden; having 

Fed on this firm frame, they came again to sport 

Among the herbs, to quicken grass and fruit and flowers. 

But long ago the htunan left these lowlier forms 

To make its home in tenements that swim and run 

And fly, until attun'd to life in myriad ways 

Th' struggling soul dares claim its present shroud of clay. 

Which habit it must learn to wear and war in, 'til 

By means of it and knowledge gain'd through oft repeat'd 

Lives,^ the soul of man can clothe itself with frame 

Of substance flner than his house of clay, and rise 

Beyond the sight of those still held in Rhea's arms. 

Our mother earth was born some fifty million years 

Ago; a ten millionth part of the parent, with like qualities 

She was dropped into space remote, a shining. 

Burning mass. Her fires externally quenched were, 

While with earth and water, much of th' latter congealed 



Beginnings ii 

To ice, the brighter element was enfolded. As 

Whirling swift through space the icy egg came nearer, 

By attraction, to the sun, her coat of ice 

Melt'd, and water form'd her swaddling clothes. Still 

spinning 
'Round the sun, she felt his sway. 
Past her creeping days, she thought to stand erect 
And run, as little child who first essays to walk 
Will run and tumble oft; so infant Rhea, on 
Her little end unsteady, next roU'd over, bruised 
Her side and lost a fragment of her frame, some burnt-out 
Earth and rock, from out that sea we name Pacific, 
After great convulsions grown so calm; long since 
Th' wound was heal'd. We call this charred bit of earth 
Th' moon. No life can it support, but serves as time 
Measure and reflector of Hyperion's rays 
As 'round our orb it winds its way. 
Baby Rhea roll'd for many million years 
Upon her way, an orbit long, around the sun. 
Spinning best she could, but wabbling much upon 
Her larger end. Where was the head of earth first seen? 
Where did the waters first divide? The place methinks 
Th' Nubian mountains, or near by; her right arm on 
Th' plain of Tibet beyond the Himalayas vast. 
One tiny hand, the arm of which o'er much of Central 
Asia stretch'd, came out in what is now Australia. 
It was the life within, the heart and lungs of flame 
That forc'd th' rocks and sand from out the sea, and made 
Th' islands which in after days were mountain tops. 
As age succeeded age, still more of land was wrested 



12 The Child of the Nations 

From the sea, but all upon one side the globe. 

We say, "The Old World"; well we may, for prehistoric 

Races many liv'd and left no monument, while 

Water covered all the western hemisphere. 

Beside the upper waters of the Nile and on 

Th' Persian plains there came a race of men who elsewhere 

Lower lives had lived.^ Another type of man 

His habitation made upon the shores of Hellas, 

Not then so called. These two races in three countries 

Develop'd simultaneously and a third came forth, 

An amalgam of these two. 

While upon her breast mankind she nourish'd, our 

Mother Rhea grew apace within, and proudly 

Stood erect, a queen among the planets; her head 

Now towards th' north, her feet on Afric's soil were planted. 

Th' mighty mother's speed increas'd. Up came her bile, 

A motley mass of well-burnt ores; huge stones and even 

Fire at times she vomited. Such her rage that turning 

Over once again she threw an island off 

While in her fury rocking. Mother Earth not only 

Whirl'd Atlantis into space but spHt asunder 

Libya's land and sent across the sea a strip 

Of earth we now call Yucatan, where ancient monuments 

Unearth'd and ones yet to be found, betray how once 

This neck of land to Africa was join'd; its very 

Clay the same as that fam'd land from which it parted. 

This cataclasm vast made mountains plains, and seas dry 

land. 
Of giant rivers chang'd the course: it tumbled towers 
Of highest rock, and buried deep all marks of that 



Beginnings 13 

Degenerate race which caus'd th' wrath of Rhea. Picks 

And shovels have not yet the relics of the earliest 

Men, who builded well in stone and iron, brought 

To light; and all we e'er shall find is very new 

Compar'd to what there was before dear Rhea took 

That turn which once more land'd her upon her little 

End, and brought her nearer to the light, thus making 

Night and day each shorter than they were, though shorter 

Still they'll be as nearer to the sun we draw. 

In times when Cyclopean walls were built the days 

Were more than twice the length of those which now we 

count. 
No need had giant men of old to travel fast. 
Or hurry work; their years were almost centuries, 
So lasting structures builded they which now defy 
Our scientific architects. A dozen thousand 
Years they've stood in Syria and Greece; yet new 
Are they beside the ones we yet shall find by old 
Father Nile or deep in central Africa. 
For race on race had liv'd and pass'd away before 
There came to earth the Adamites. 
In a garden fair between two rivers, in 
Th' golden sand by th' water's edge an egg was plac'd, 
Th' envelope of a man, surrounded by congenial 
Elements; a two-fold tenement of clay 
Was evolved. This man Adam came a whole 
Being, not divided from his mate, as all 
Rhea's other children are before they reach 
Her nourishing breast, and find theirs how and when they 

can. 



14 The Child of the Nations 

Adam was indeed a blessed mortal whose star 

Had elsewhere had its setting. He was good, but far 

From perfect, as is shown by th' history of his acts. 

Then Eve, the more evolved, but more fragile portion 

Of what had been ere this a perfect man, came forth 

From the dual envelope. To look upon 

Very fair was she, and loving th' other part 

It was not strange she should desire to again become 

One with Adam. To offer him the fruit was natural; 

To partake, for him, was right. But that which grew 

In the centre of the garden should have been 

Preserv'd for seed. The core conserved, they had not 

For their first, attracted such frail progeny. Often 

A Cain will come to homes where parents eat the fruit 

Of life and sap the springs of being. Not content 

With the many fruits that grow in rich abundance. 

They use the one whose flowers are full of gore. The fruit 

Of knowledge, season'd well with salt, the highest self 

Whence the savor flows will, when partaken of 

Temperately, produce the best. 

These progenitors rare of special race were sent 

To earth a purpose divine to fulfill; obeying not 

Th' mandate of their higher wisdom, needs must suffer 

Pangs of bringing forth a murderer, and of seeing 

Slain a weaker brother, ere temperate enough 

To conceive a son who should their likeness bear 

At its best, and on the earth their seed continue. 

Seth, this son, was of a famous race progenitor. 

Cain became an alien in the land of Nod, 

Far to th' east of Eden; but no more was Eden 



Beginnings 15 

The abode of Adam. All to remind him of 

This estate so fair was a simple rod, a twig 

From a tree that in his beautiful garden grew. 

An angel, so the story runs, permitted Adam 

To take this rod, and told him what its use. Though not 

Plant'd it grew, and held its strange mysterious 

Potencies for many a day. 

When illustrious Noe, whose ramparts were the sea,^ 

Was swept away by tidal wave, and all that part 

Of Rhea's crust was soak'd by rain, a man of God 

A wondrous ship did build, and sav'd therein himself. 

His sons and daughters, and animals of all kinds; of unclean 

Two, and seven of the clean — a fair proportion. 

Hospitality showing to all of God's creatures 

Nurtur'd here for good of man. How came this Noah 

So much wiser than his age? The legend says 

He divin'd what was to come, and builded well 

By means of Adam's rod. The history of this man 

As given by the Hebrew poet helpful is 

To th' wise, and full of symbolism. 

Upon this scriptural washing day not all of Rhea's 

Clothes were wet, but all the world to Adamitic 

Race of men, then known, was delug'd. But this time 

Of waves and storms was further back by several thousand 

Years than we have counted it. Just as to-day 

We know not what is happening at the Poles with all 

Our ironclads, fast motors, wireless telegraph 

And aeroplanes, so in those early days a flood 

Might o'er all of Syria sweep and not be told 

In other quarter of the globe. 



1 6 The Child of the Nations 

It is a saying old that "nations rise and fall"; 

They do indeed. Not all are swept away in one 

Dire cataclasm, not all by tidal waves or deluge 

Perish, or are covered with volcanic stuff 

As Sodom and Gomorrah, rich cities of the plain; 

Some one way, some another, perish or are buried. 

Mountains also rise and fall. The prophet sang, 

Every valley shall exalted be, and was 

Geographer as well as philosopher and poet. 

Islands peeping forth from watery home are urged 

By th' heat in Rhea's heart to seek the air above. 

Some come in a day, while others centuries take; 

But slow or fast, they grow to hills or mountains vast. 

Then when as stately hills they, for a time, have looked 

Arrogantly down perhaps upon the fields 

Below them, suddenly comes, some day, a rift in one 

High peak, the fire beneath long smould'ring seeks rehef . 

Greatness never lasts. The highest mountain once 

Its fire pours forth, becomes as lowly as the plain 

It once looked down upon. Its worn-out crater lower 

Falls, then useless lying for a time excites 

Th' wonder of the passer-by. But Time all things 

Equalizes. Th' most unsightly lava fields 

Become the softest, richest earth. In broad expanse 

Of prairie lands we see no remnant of volcanic 

Action. Men who lead their flocks and herds o'er these 

Level fields have never heard that they were once 

Mountains high; nor do the sightseers gazing on 

Geysers often stop to think how near the fire 

Must be that boils the water. Soon the place where they 



Beginnings 17 

Are treading will be molten fire. Geologists tell 

That these changes have been and still will be, but 

They do not tell the reason why. 

Much to help him guess how human beings lived 

In times gone by the archaeologist finds, and comes 

Gradually nearer to the truth of when man first 

Made stone and metal tools, first builded tombs or carved 

His image. Th' scientist gathers knowledge from without, 

Th' poet from within, he therefore sees the scroll 

Of records before they are unrolled. ^° 

Besides the nations that have come and gone yet left 

Their impress well engraven, their runes full strongly marked, 

There are those gone and those still here who have no fruit 

Borne, conceiv'd no child. The undeveloped has 

No age. Some young, some old, of individuals live 

And die without a purpose, nothing leaving that 

Will prove they've been; the same with nations, mass from 

part 
Differs not, save in degree. 

In far ofif Australia, what find we? An island. 
Yet a continent, in extent as large almost 
As th' United States. Th' geologist tells a tale 
Here the same as elsewhere on our planet: Mountains 
Risen, mountains fallen, lakes and river-ways. 
And glorious fields. The archaeologist here has not 
Yet begun his work to tell us of the greatness 
Passed away : for once was here a race whose only 
History buried lies in things they one time used; 
Sealed books their thoughts to us. 



The Child of the Nations 



Degeneracy is clearly written on the face 

Of every native man we meet upon this isle. 

We should not think of asking him of how he came 

Or who was there before. Of his progenitors 

He knows far less than we, for we know how the history 

To discover he has lost. 

When time is ripe the English-speaking race who now 

Possession have of this rich, fair, and fertile land 

In their search for gold and diamonds will some day 

Uncover unexpectedly interesting history, 

Which will tell us of a civilization long 

Buried in Australia. 

Another race degenerate whose place upon 

Our map is large: The children of Turan hyena-like 

Who through the night of ignorance prowl, devouring dead 

Nations, thinking to govern by the sword instead 

Of by the light. But half emerged from the animal 

Envelope, their garments are so black they fail 

To see the gore upon the border. 

What Turkey may become when she begins to travail 

Towards a human birth, we know not; but as yet 

She has no ideals. One prophet she produced 

Who knew the unity of God, but saw not man's 

Divinity, nor recognized that strength must come 

By suff'ring. Failing to move the mountains great of doubt 

And ignorance, his faith not strong enough to wait, 

Mohammed yield'd his princely state to vassals, left 

His throne within and went without the beast to conquer 

Which in the open conquer 'd him. 



Beginnings 19 

Of no mean magnitude was Mohammed's star 

Though shining with a lurid Hght as waning 

Moon upon a cloudy night, or setting 

Planet flick'ring 'mid black veils of night. 

That same moon rose in silver radiance; 

That planet brightly shone at eventide. 

Th' time, the place, conditions 'round the man 

Made Arabia's prophet what he was, 

Th' best expression of that time and clime. 

Wand'ring Bedouin tribes must needs be welded; 

An earthly kingdom learn ere a spiritual one 

Was known. An infant race is led by one 

Strong man 'til able all alone to stand. 

Within a tyrant's breast prophetic gifts 

Are seldom hidden; very few are warriors, 

Kings and legislators too; but this 

Unletter'd son of Turan, persecuted 

And despis'd in youth, his great gift fearing. 

Until Khadija counsell'd him. Obey 

Th' voice divine, surmounted difficulties 

With strength miraculous, oft gaining knowledge 

Without the aid of books. He wrote his laws. 

Humane and just, eradicating many 

Crude beliefs. He held to much of good 

In Moses' statutes, modified Hebraic 

Customs, adding gentleness from Christian 

Teaching gained. Yet desire to see 

Results, ambition for the recognition 

Of the world, made Mohammed resort to measures 

Most severe, made him in part forget 



20 The Child of the Nations 

His mission to mankind. The monarchy 
To him became the leading thought, and soon 
His gift of prophecy waned. His rehgion 
Crystalliz'd at Mecca 'round the Caaba 
Stone. His kingdom at the point of sword 
Was far and wide extended. He controlled 
By fear his converts. Strength of arms without 
Th' cords of love still feeds the beast, so slowly 
Slavery gnaws the root of Islam's tree. 
Though equahty preaching and brotherhood of man, 
Th' savage Turks were ever brought to truth by force, 
And still their way to grace they fight. 
Th' kingdom by Mohammed 'stablished after his 
Death amazingly grew o'er all Arabia, easily 
Spreading thence to Palestine and Asia Minor. 
Th' CaHphs saw their armies conquer in the name 
Of Allah and his prophet, great Mohammed, while 
Despotically they ruled beside the prophet's tomb 
At Medina, sacred shrine. 

These different peoples, knit by kinship which belief 
In the same God gives, were able soon in Persia 
To deal a final blow to th' Sassanian monarchy. 
Though the Caliphs at Damascus ruled long, 
After a time the chief seat of the empire was 
Changed to Bagdad on the Tigris. Having at home 
Conquer'd th' Persians, Egypt was quite easy to gain: 
For it has been a prey to any one who cared 
To take it since the fall of Rome. The Mohammedan Turks, 
Whom the Romans called Saracens, burnt the famous 
Library which the Ptolemies at Alexandria 



Beginnings 21 

Had collected. Mohammedan fanatics wished 

No books but the Koran, which has much of truth 

In it: for knowledge not alone from Jews and Christians 

Did Mohammed gain. Quite conscious that he talked 

With visitors celestial he had confidence 

To write and inculcate his laws. 

Easily all of Northern Africa the Turks 

Occupied, th' Moors absorbing; thence from Tunis 

And Morocco pass'd to Sicily; then a century 

Later set a giant foot on Spain where they 

Improv'd and beautified a region much neglected 

Since the days of Roman rule. But long and fierce 

Th' struggle, with many bloody battles ere th' persistent 

Turk the crescent rais'd o'er Capitol decadent 

Of the Eastern Empire, where for centuries 

Byzantine culture under licentious rule had smoulder'd. 

Since Naziansen's bonfire no more classic learning. 

In all the motley crowd since Rome had come to rule 

Beside the Bosphorus, but one was ever called 

"Good." Though chief of the army for a quarter of 

A century, as Emperor, Michael Sixth was asked 

To abdicate the throne in one short year. Then ruled 

In quick succession weakling men and wicked women. 

After sacking Rome and crushing Greece, barbaric 

Hordes from th' north and east for some time helped to hold 

The Turks at bay. The Byzantines, surrounded on 

All sides by enemies, yielded in the fifteenth century 

To the sword and faith of Islam. 

The people we call Scandinavian older are 



The Child of the Nations 



Than we think. At foot of hills whose beauty only 

Th' modern man attracts, their culture buried lies. 

No signs remain of this first race. Some songs and sayings 

Wise by their descendants were left in Iceland, where 

A portion of a second race we find, who here 

Ruled long before Phoenicians found their way 

To northern seas. A tree of life and knowledge grew 

For these simple folk, whose fruit was rudely shaken 

Down by Tyrian pirates, who, returning south, 

Many towers and castles planted on the coasts 

And erst received the name of Norsemen. 

In these latter days upon a budded branch 

Of their tree of life has come a blossom, a poet 

Born in Skien.^^ Both Scotch and German blood runs in 

His veins, and in his eyes the sorrows of mankind. 

He has urged the world to see its social ills. 

Nor has he failed to see beyond this vale of tears, 

Where lov'd ones live, and can be seen by all whose eyes 

Are clear'd and who to soar are willing to resign. 

Sweden, too, had her great son, a prophet, 

One who to th' world belongs. 

Th' English call all Northmen Danes, the races 

Of the Scandinavian countries failing to 

Distinguish. Yet they differ greatly. The Dane no kinship 

Had with veritable Norsemen, for the Viking 

No liking. Long, long after th' earlier civilization 

In the North it was that Danish people came 

To live along the Baltic shores, and took possession 

Of the Jutland peninsula; then made war upon 



Beginnings 23 

Degenerate Northmen, Kelts and Anglo-Saxons, or 

Any one who came within their reach; their time 

Spent in exploits like the schoolboy of to-day, 

Who cares much more for football than for classic lore. 

Letting strength grow in his heels rather than his head. 

Th' Danish pirate bent on sport, his days to theft 

And rapine given, took no time to think or brood. 

That he conquer'd but a day he held; for, having 

Naught to give for that he seiz'd, nor anything 

That might the parts cement, they slipped away as fast 

Almost as he grasped them. 

Driven from their Asiatic home by Roman 

Conquerors, led by wicked chief, from Asgard after 

Pompey's triumph, a barbaric horde it was 

That follow'd Odin to th' north and west, that hailed 

Him King in life and after death disrobed him, 

Called him God, the evil that he did exalting. 

Excusing all his wicked deeds by classing them 

As supernatural. Odin to his people left 

Some crude runes, some tales and songs brought from their 

distant 
Eastern home, wound 'round with minstrel lays, extolling 
Their wUd life and victories. These a book of legends 
Make, by them as early history held. Though th' softening 
Light of Christianity has for many, many 
Centuries been among them, th' Danes as yet have no 
Central thought, no firm ideal, for the centuries 
Of plunder no richer left, no wiser for their years 
And years of greed and rapine; and th' few good men 
And women who within the Danish realm have found 



24 The Child of the Nations 

Birth, by right belong to other lands. Yes, verily — 
Their one, ideal man a world possession is, 
And in spirit belongs to Germany/^ 

Italy also has produced no child for reasons 

Different far from those which made some other nations 

Barren. They had given nothing to the world, 

While she has given her all nor kept enough at home 

To feed her poor. In some respects it is the same 

Whether nothing or too much, but not in all; 

For those nations that give nothing have in turn 

Nothing to expect; while she who gives her all. 

Becoming empty, receives from all, or will receive 

When time has shown the world the obHgation owed. 

Italia has never been united, always 

Feuds and jealousies internal; central fire 

None on which to heap the debris of the race; 

No charioteer to drive the steeds which gallop where 

They will, full speed, Hke woman with too many lovers : 

Full to th' brim with charm she husbands not her forces. 

Sits not by the hearth to rock the cradle, but 

Would forever on the public way be seen. 

Her little faults forgiving, and of her gifts to other 

Nations only thinking, note the casket full 

Of jewels in either hand she bears. 

Assisi 'mid the Umbrian hills half hid, still guards 

Th' tiny chapel Francis builded, its stones made smooth 

By pilgrims' kisses who from far and near come here 

For visions rare and answered prayer, find rose leaves stained 

With blood which speak of sacrifice and saintly life. 



Beginnings 25 

One Franciscan friar far outshone the founder. 

By his tomb at Padova all receive a blessing 

And many weary faithful ones miraculously 

Are healed, while in every country shrines and altars 

Do attest the love and faith inspired by that 

Young saint who ever holds the lily. 

Ruled so long by popes at Rome, hke nuns no marriage 

Rites permitted, no thought of child, for orphans of 

Th' world has Italy clothing made and sung eternal 

Songs, has painted pictures full of truth divine 

To help the nations yet unborn. 

Her Dante, morning star of verse, belongs to all 

Th' world. Who knows not his Divina Commedia, 

Its height and depth, and th' Vita Nuova, is poor indeed. 

Marvel well we may at his imagination. 

Joy we often shall at love that so transform'd 

His Ufe. Yet o'er his unforgiving spirit, that 

At last his life so darken'd, and our thought of his 

Great genius shadows, weep we must. 

Then her Petrarch with broad brow and luminous eyes, 

Remember'd long by all whose Lauras to th' heights 

Them lead, a lover, patriot, friend, philosopher he, 

And poet laurel crowned, Hves at Rome to-day, 

At Pisa and at Florence, though at Arqua rest 

His bones. His statue speaks a message to the children 

Of Padova, as on their way to school they play 

Around their town's late tribute^^ to the bard who learned 

Much lore within the gate where GaUleo's tower 

Is seen, where still his rostrum reverently guarded is, 

In the quiet halls which held a host of choice 



26 The Child of the Nations 

Spirits in the bygone days. They loved the chapel 

Built upon the old Arena, whose walls hold pictures 

Fair that make us feel there is a vision seen 

Alike by poets and painters. Giotto's inspiration 

Dante's portrait drew in fresco fine while they 

Abode in An tenor's town.^* Here Petrarch came to pray, 

And Tasso too in later days; and while celestial 

Vision ever came to Giotto's aid, yet in 

Mary's Chapel better than in cr3rpt or tower 

We see the master's hand who knew so well what color 

Suited best each saint, who used th' legends old 

And Holy Scripture stories right, and never failed 

To give to saints their holy eyes. In every branch 

Of art he far outstripp'd his master, Cimabue, 

Whose sweet spirit still pervades many sacred 

Fanes and makes us glad he found and taught the shepherd 

Lad and recognized his peer. 

Luini th' Lady Mother drew and saints that hold 

A rare perfume. Though dim with age th' undying still 

Is written on each perfect brow. 

DaVinci knew the face of Christ; to it the phase 

Of womanly as well as manly strength he gave. 

But Guido Reni saw the Blessed Mother clearer 

Than his peers, and of the gentle John of Patmos 

Gives a portrait true, while Beatrice's tearful 

Eyes are not more lifelike than the face and form 

Of his Michael, warrior archangel. 

The art of old Perugia town is full of quaint 

ReHgious feeling; hosts of angels everywhere 

From brush of Fra Angelico or Raphael's teacher, 



Beginnings 27 

Perugino. Raphael depicts on his 

Madonna faces every phase of woman's love 

And power to suffer. We like to think that this most blessed 

Lady cannot be portrayed by any one 

Type, but that she stands for ideal womanhood. 

What of Titan Angelo, who strength of sculptor's 

Art to painting carried; in color carving figures 

On his canvas so that prophets walk and sibyls 

Almost talk on ceiHng of the famous chapel 

Of the popes. Not higher than his time did his 

Religious compositions rise, but when he gave 

A dome to Peter's Church we knew that Angelo 

Many talents had, which, if in one groove they 

Had run, he would be hailed as Italy's greatest genius. 

A majestic mixture in his art of pagan 

And half-bred Christian; in his poems and letters th' gentle 

Heart we find that would have grac'd earth as a prince. 

A princess, yet true woman, helped to mould the manners 

And the inner hfe of him she honored most. 

Yea, Colonna, to you the credit be of much 

We find in men whom you call'd friends. 

While Italy is the native place of Christian art, 

From rude designs on walls of catacombs to mural 

Paintings quite superb in palace and cathedral, 

Art by no means was all scriptural. Many mythic 

Scenes we see and Titian well deserved praise 

Gained for rarest coloring, yet not erudite 

In fabled lore, his pictures often fail to tell 

Th' story. His Assumption and fresco of Mary on 

Th' temple stairs are justly famed. Tintoretto, 



28 The Child of the Nations 

Veronese and Jacobo Bassano as 

Colorists each the other much resembles; but 

One can always tell Bassano by the family 

Portraits or the little brown-ear'd dog. To naught 

In Venice second is the Cana marriage feast, 

Tintoretto's masterpiece, though Palma Vecchio's 

Saint Therese more talked of is. The Ariadne 

And Europa side by side in Doge's Palace 

Illustrate the love of classic, Veronese 

And Tintoretto felt. At Parma has Correggio 

Left his most superb Madonna group, and while 

Some cry decadence, all are spellbound held by warmth 

Of feeling, grace, and opal tints. Guercino of 

Bologna, though his coloring is less delicate than 

Correggio's or Guido's, rarest portraits gives 

In mythical and scriptural scenes. 

When canvas all is worn and pigments e'en are faded. 

On Ghiberti's doors we still shall gaze and wonder. 

Nor fail to praise Verrochio, nor say that any 

Him excelled in equestrian art. Perchance 

He sculptured better than he knew; though Donatello 

Gave to David and Saint George more perfect forms. 

Both in marble and in bronze were master workmen. 

Cellini's Cosimo and Perseus are inspired. 

While Canova modell'd many lovely forms. 

All these and many more made Italy's tree of art 

Blossom for three centuries. Now came blight from bigoted 

Religious zeal, which kill'd th' artistic spirit, which 

Imprison'd Galileo for knowing more than pope, 

Which burned th' wise Dominican friar who dared denounce 



Beginnings 29 

Corruption in the Church and warn the wicked Borgia 

Pope as well as Florence's lowliest sinner. Then 

When God's instrument, Charles of France, from Alps to 

Naples 
Marched, Itaha's iniquity was chastised. 
And France gain'd hterary and artistic birth 
Which the mother's death knell sounded. 



CANTO II 
Egypt 

Let geologists tell the minute process of the birth of lands. Let 
physicists and chemists wrestle with the problem 

Of changes wrought that made the land a habitation fit for man. 
Suffice for us to know that mankind on this planet 

Lived ages ago, not only man, but wise men, seers and teachers. 
Unless the seer he teacher too, what mission has he 

Fulfilled? Who in times to come knows whether he lived 
Or not? To Egypt we should go to learn what man 
Did for man, yea, for mankind in th' dawn of th' sixth 
Day, that day which now is and will be for ages 
Yet to come th' most glorious by far that e'er 
Has been; that day when, all things being ready, th' time 
Fulfilled, man into being sprang, his temple of clay 
Entering, leaving fins and feathers, fur and hide, 
Too thick for higher uses than to defend him from 
Th' beasts of prey, behind. Then shedding tails and wings, 
He stood with vertebrate strength to claim his kingdom, not 
On earth alone. At first too weak to cHmb, he sought 
Th' level land and quiet water-side; the placid 
Lakes his bestial nature calm, and nature's beauty 
Reconciles him to the change. 
That sweet poet who by stream of fecund Nile 
Sang of creation's days, inspired was to speak 
Of the evening and the morning. How beneficent 
As well as wise the hand designing evening to 

30 



E'gypt 31 

Precede the morning! Who that first beheld the radiant 

Morn and felt the noonday heat could live through night? 

Darkness to one ignorant of its purport would 

Be enough to stunt the growth of life and leave 

A man bereft of reason who for th' first time felt 

It after daylight. No death, perhaps, has been 

More terrible than the yielding to sleep that first night after 

Seeing th' god of day descend. 

Did light precede the dark? In any life or lives 

Does it e'er come first? The seed lies in the ground; 

Th' bird is hidden in the egg; from the dark womb comes 

Th' infant life. Yes, always darkness, then the light. 

Out of the cloud comes lightning. O great negative mother^ 

From whom positive force proceeds! O blessed wisdom 

That decreed the night should day precede! In th' evening 

Light was born! In th' twilight man first came to life. 

A little light, then a long, long night before the brightness 

Of the rosy dawn. So Erebus Phoebe precedes. 

Nyx with her dark horses drives before Eos 

With her saffron robe! Leto wander'd long 

Ere chain'd Delos came in sight where birth she gave 

To twin lights.^ Even Phoebus must destroy the python 

Ere from Phoebe's hands the shears he takes, declaring 

His hair shall ever be unshorn. 

Having elsewhere had their primitive fives, a few 

Develop'd souls to Rhea^ in their astral nimbi 

Came, and wove terrestrial bodies out of Mother 

Earth's fabrics, in climes best suited to their need. 

Th' age call'd Pleistocene* came earliest in Greece, 

Persia, and Nubia. In each of these 



32 The Child of the Nations 

Climes a race matur'd, nor knew of others than 

Themselves. The forerunners of these races, those who came 

From other planets, in their astral envelopes. 

Temples of clay constructing from the elements, were 

Spirits so advanc'd that inspiration easily 

They received from beings of a higher order, 

Who not only aided them in preparation 

Of these new tenements, but taught them what to do 

For the betterment and development of all creatures. 

Nubia, set 'round with mountains, wreath'd with clouds, 

A land of many pure fresh-water lakes which flowed 

Northward to the sea in after days, the foster 

Mother was of a race in sinew strong, in mind 

Wise. As all of earth's first children, they the sun 

Worshipp'd. Into life its genial rays had warm'd 

Them, as still it does the ostrich eggs when hidden 

In the desert's golden sand. The radiant orb 

Of day they lov'd and mellaw moon and twinkling stars, 

Yet when night-time came they fear'd th' monstrous beasts 

Who own'd th' waters and the forest ere man came. 

Of all the myriad forms of life the serpents were 

By far their greatest enemies. Of superhuman 

Size, still upright,* walking on their tails, these creatures 

Worshipp'd were by man, through fear. 

When the golden age of earth had pass'd away. 

Some seers and trusted teachers of these earliest times 

Were, to men of later days, as gods. One Kofu 

Open'd such a mine of wisdom to the new 

Made race of men that he was father call'd by all 

Of his disciples, and by many deem'd th' father 



Egypt 



33 



Of the Nubian gods. He sometimes is miscalled 

Kephera, and was by his descendants worshipp'd in 

Th' moon. A little later Sepa, learn'd in secret 

Lore, by his descendants worshipp'd was as sun. 

Th' life in trees was nam'd for him, and many words 

Still found in northern lands betoken that his name 

Was one with wisdom.^ Nu, an early ruler, gave 

His name to all the land so lately under water. 

He was call'd th' water-god; while Nut, his wife, 

By her children nam'd Goddess of th' Sky, 

Had figure made with feet and hands upon the earth 

While her body fair is as the heavens arched. 

Shu, whose place it was to uphold the sky, and keep 

Th' earth and heavens apart, a teacher was of many 

Things so little understood, those coming after 

Nam'd him God of Air; and many of his words 

Treasur'd long beyond his day were taken into 

Syria and later to the Chinese realm, 

Where in curious ritual crystallized we find 

Them to-day in valued books, the Shu-King called. 

Shu and Tefnut, wiser than their day, were only 

Mortals worshipp'd when their faults were all forgotten. 

Keb, less given to talking of th' sky than his 

Father Shu, unveil'd th' treasures of the earth. 

Helping men the secrets of the soil and rocks 

To unfold; was given the name of Earth-God by 

Those who wish'd in after days to honor him. 

All these before the day of kings. 

Th' earUest of the Nubian chiefs e'er honor'd as 

A god was Thoth, who thought the moon was greater than 



34 The Child of the Nations 

Th' sun, and instituted worship to that pale orb. 

Thoth's teachings, not unHke the cult of Kofu, 

Were in later days brought north where several kings 

Assum'd his name. We know not all whose children made 

Them gods, for next to sun and serpent worship, which 

Everywhere was earliest, came the adoration 

Of the ancestor; if he had anything 

Worthy of recording done, or if his children 

Thought so, and were rich enough to make their boast 

In metal or in stone, this one would be to future 

Generations as a god. 

As century after century pass'd th' people who 

Their earth-beginning had on Nubian soil o'er all 

Of ^Ethiopia spread, and northward came beyond 

Th' then high Atlas mountains going to a fair 

Island called Atlantis. Here the men who chose 

A southern clime for their beginning rapidly 

Develop'd; many incursions made on the mainland north, 

A maritime power becoming, 'til their progress was . 

Arrested by the Titans in Greece.^ 

This island of Atlantis in its civilization 

Equall'd anything this earth as yet has seen; 

But as the people in material wealth and knowledge 

Gain'd, they lost in wisdom and in goodness, so 

Had degenerated in a few thousand years 

Into a very wicked nation. Then the Pilot 

Who guides dear Mother Rhea, knowing that some portion 

Of the earth must be thrown off, its shape and orbit 

To preserve, the island of Atlantis chose 

As least worthy to be saved. 



Egypt 35 

Little did the luxury and refinement of 

Their rich civilization help assuage the anguish 

Both of mind and body that on one and all 

Seized in that storm of storms, which rocked and sway'd 

Their isle three days and nights, and loosen'd from th' 

mighty 
Deep the roots of land, and sent a piece from Rhea's 
Breast far out in space, or sunk beneath the high. 
High waves the land that fail'd to hold. Where once was 

verdure 
Now was mud; where temples, palaces, and gardens 
Fair, and all that men and women covet of 
Earth's rich stores, were in profusion, now was naught 
But salt waves lapping mud, which barr'd for many years 
That passage to the inland sea where stood the gates 
Of Herakles. This cataclasm, of great ones second 
On our planet,^ which has had so many fires 
And floods, not only threw Atlantis off, and many 
Smaller isles submerg'd, but clove asunder Afric's 
Mounts, and let the many waters of the Nubian 
Land in river flow, long call'd ^gyptus, 
Afterwards the Nile. A world of sand was left 
By th' receding sea, not yet made fertile, still 
A desert call'd Sahara, which between ^Egyptus 
Land and ocean made a barrier. 
One man escap'd th' doom that met his kind that day 
When this mighty earthquake buried low all towers 
And temples of the Nubian land. Without a mate, 
Without a home, by all he had endured nigh 
To distraction driven, Kahab with the beasts 



36 The Child of the Nations 

Consort'd and ere his days on earth were ended saw 
Th' human partly imaged in half beast, half man. 
Th' mustang and the ape from Kahab took on human 
Traits and partly human heads, yet kept their tails, 
Some their claws. With human heads e'en serpents came,® 
And men with heads of vultures, rams and dogs, so that 
In after days these strange mysterious compounds wor- 
shipped 
Were; yea, reverenced by a few, and feared 
By many. Painted in rock tombs or graven on 
Temple walls their portraits oft we find. The great 
Sun-god Ra e'en had a head of ram, for he 
In earthhfe to the half -beast race belonged; yet 
Deified he represents the sun whose rays 
Vivifying, were suggested best by strong 
Creative force in rams. Hence Aries, the sun's 
First house, mark'd th' vernal equinox, when life 
Returns to trees and herbs, when man and beast feel most 
Desire to multiply. So in the upper world. 
Also in the underworld, has Ra the head 
Of ram, and many are the emblems found that show 
His power, greatest of the race from Kahab sprung. 
This race, half beast, half man, in time held sway o'er all 
Th' valley of the Nile. They left one monument 
Which still defies the hand of Time, and keeps the savants 
Guessing what it means and whence it came. By these 
Strong-limb'd people built, the great stone sphinx on lion's 
Body bears a woman's head. 
In those far-off days the woman larger was 
Than man, with passions stronger. This the lion's body 



Egypt 37 

Indicated. She who had so lately been 

A beast had mind develop'd less than man, who had 

Been longer out of th' animal state. Man, hoping his 

Mate to rule by keeping her in ignorance, 

Capp'd her thinking thereby to suppress her mind. 

From the great stone sphinx, still peering o'er the sand. 

We learn what in those early days man thought of woman 

Whom he almost worshipp'd, half fear'd, and wished wholly 

To subdue, yet dreaded doing so for fear 

He might thereby defeat his perpetuity. 

Valued only as producer, kept as slave 

For the gratification of the animal man, 

Not permitt'd to use her mind like children close 

To Nature, woman then had much of Nature's wisdom 

Unalloyed. Judgment never used, her 

Intuition was more strong. So now among 

Th' women of this curious race, so lately sprung 

From beasts, were sibyls who had such divining power 

That men from far and near consulted them as to 

Th' portent of the future. Of these women, taught 

Wholly by the lore in Nature's book, such wide 

Celebrity one attain'd she gave her name to all 

That land, and many lesser seeresses in later 

Days the name of Libya adopted, claiming if not 

Descent from her held high in days of Ra, at least 

A portion of her power assuming. 

Not along the river Nile but in the hill 

Countries of Apollo's land were Amazon women, 

Able to produce their sons in sinew strong 

And larger than themselves; of whom some came a little 



38 The Child of the Nations 

Later to Libya's land, there mixed with the smaller 

Darker people in whose veins yet ran the blood 

Of rams and bullocks, who possessed still a portion 

Of th' serpent's guile. From out the east and north . 

Another race migrated to this valley, water'd 

By the long strong river, which e'er since that fearful 

Cataclasm from pure fresh lakes in Nubia 

Had rolled and cut its way amid the hills, its bed 

Of mud in that great sand tract making, 'til with many 

Mouths it reach'd th' Magnum Mare. 

In the lower valley of the Nile, made rich 

By many overflowings of the giant river, 

A race arose amalgamated from the three — 

Syrian, Greek, and those half-animal beings who 

Mark'd their highest era by the great stone sphinx 

And the worship of the sun-god Ra. Yet not 

Forgotten was the reverence for the moon. An early 

King of Thinis took the name P-tah, a Nubian 

Moon god, then made lunar calendars; so now 

Again the moon became the first of deities. 

By its quarters time was measured; and to these 

Men, who first by Luna's quarters measur'd time. 

What we call months were years. Then later thirteen 

months 
Became the lunar year, as now. 
By its light the moon converted night to day, 
Its apparent comings and its goings birth 
And death suggested, rebirth and immortality 
Foreshadowed. Surely P-tah a great god was, and many 
Priests who knew the secret lore were glad to take 



Egypt 



39 



His name for their cognomen, thereby gaining power 

Over superstitious persons whom they purposely 

Kept in ignorance. All writing was by signs 

Known to priests alone. E'en monarchs were dependent 

On the priestly hierarchy for their knowledge 

Of science or of history. Pyramids they built 

For astronomical observatories which 

Later were built over, added to or alter'd 

And used as tombs by kings who ceas'd to reverence 

Th' science of the stars. Yet many temples, builded 

By these priests, to-day tell us how well they knew 

Th' movements of the heavenly bodies, and betray 

By their orientation what religious cult 

Was uppermost.^" Those pointing to the summer solstice 

Honor 'd Nile whose flood- tide started at that time; 

Oriented to the vernal equinox 

Others, showing that their builders held to forms 

Of worship where the Tigris and Euphrates rose 

In springtime. Some to rising, some to setting stars, 

Tell th' inquirer in these latter days the age 

Of these temples, and the time when different races 

O'er this land held sway. For by their knowledge of 

Th' stars and deep religious feeling, records true 

Have been left in great stone temples by these builders 

On the banks of Father Nile. 

There came from out the land of Pimt, some thirty centuries 

After the great cataclasm, a mighty chief, 

Osiris nam'd, who all of Lower Egypt gained, 

Making the peoples of the different races all 

Subservient unto him; his rule at Thinis having 



40 The Child of the Nations 

Firmly 'stablish'd, many other cities built; 

Then with army vast to Nubia he sail'd 

And brought a number of the large dark-skinned race 

North as slaves. But with diplomacy acting, Osiris 

Add'd th' Nubian deities to his own pantheon. 

Kofu and Thoth now took their place beside the chief 

Gods of Lower Egypt, Ra and Atum, whose 

Worship had been added to that of Am, brought by 

Phoenician conquerors from Syria. To each 

Sun-god a place was given: Kofu, call'd the Opener, 

Represented th' sun at early morn; the heat 

And power of the noonday sun was Ra; while Turn 

Or Atum, closer of the day, the sun at evening 

Was. These gods did service also for the seasons; 

Kofu, spring; the summer, Ra; the autumn, Tum. 

Never more than three hours for each day, nor more 

Than three seasons to the year.^^ 

Th' Nubian moon-god Thoth for long held sway beside 

P-tah, who venerated mostly was as teacher 

Of metal workers; he, a veritable Hephaestus, 

The fires of th' underworld controll'd. 

His conquests finished, Osiris taught the people by 

Th' Nile the cultivation of the vine which grew 

To such perfection in his native land.^^ To Egypt 

He became a Bacchus, and many temples built 

Oriented to the equinoxes as 

In Syria. Astronomers and architects 

Imported were from Babylon. Both the lunar and 

Th' solar calendars were by Osiris used. 

Who added to the solar year five days, thereby 



Egypt 



41 



Confusion making: earlier it was more nearly right. 
Osiris was a fighter brave, successful conqueror; 

But by far the greater soul his sister 

Isis, whom he married and made queen, 

Jointly to rule with him. She was not only 

Beautiful and learn'd but greatly loved. 

And became a power for good in the land 

She rul'd. Isis taught the women many things. 

Greatest of all the truth from her they learned 

Was the dignity of motherhood. 

Upon that cult which worshipp'd virgins Isis 

Frown'd. She cared not for the stern, cold maid; 

She did not sympathize with Neith, the goddess, 

Boasting that no man had pierced her veil. 

Isis was proud to be a wife and mother. ,| 

One of her favorite names was Mut. One of II 

Her much-lov'd symbols was the cow, whose milk 

Nourish'd not alone its own but higher 

0£fspring. Isis strove to make all 'round 

Her aware that woman God's final 

Creation is. His highest work, most like 

The Creator. Through becoming a mother 

She not only created sonship, but 

Conferr'd fatherhood upon her husband. 

It was from this Phoenician princess, Egypt's 

Greatest queen, that women of the valley 

Of the Nile not only did, but all 

Who will may, learn of motherhood th' intrinsic 

Value and in creation woman's place. 

But dimly the truth we apprehend that last 



42 The Child of the Nations 

Shall be first. Not strange it glimmer'd faintly 

On these childlike minds. Yet after Isis' 

Day the Egyptians deem'd th' goddess higher 

Than the god, th' mother ever more 

Than the father god. From the day of Isis 

Th' mother-thought is never absent. Th' child 

Of Egypt was a Trinity of Beings. 

In every triad of gods we find two gods 

And one goddess. In the hand each god 

Holds a symbol of the threefold life. 

Under many names the great Egyptian 

Mother was ador'd; she was not only 

Demeter, but Persephone, whose gentle 

Breath discovers, when trees in spring their life 

Renew, the body of Osiris, her 

Beloved brother, grief for whom had almost 

Demented her when he by serpent worshipping 

Set was slain, because he would put down 

That cult which his enhghten'd mind abhorr'd. 

Many lessons all may learn from th' blessed 

Mother of Horus, who with Horus in 

Her arms was full moon, also she the eyes 

Of Horus was. When he as sun was worshipp'd. 

She was represented by the dog-star: 

Its heliacal rising hailed the goddess, 

Bringing th' sun to light, while Sirius 

Setting was the goddess Hathor,^^ th' cow. 

Her greatest temples oriented were 

To Sirius, erected centuries after 

Her life on earth, when she was deem'd a goddess 



Egypt 



43 



Only, all her frailties forgotten. 

Countless statuettes in metal and 

In precious stones, e'en more than temples at 

Dendereh and at Thebes, attest the fact 

That motherhood was worshipp'd by these people. 
Many pages in the poetry of this land 
Are filled with myths that multiplied about the deeds 
Of Isis, Osiris, Set, and Nephtys. Temples found 
In fourteen places typify the days of th' waning 
Moon: his heart at Abydos buried tells us that 
This place was the center of Osiris worship. 
Many places honor'd him who was not only sun 
And moon but Nile god, all that gave fertihty and 
Increase to the land. His wife, the moonlight had 

For veil; it represented the mystery of birth; | 

This mystery it was, and not the moonlight, that 
Was worshipp'd. Noting the use of veils we very nearly 
Can follow the decadence of religions; for | 

When all inspiration from the fountain head 
Directly comes, so long as nothing is between 
Th' individual and his God, there is no need 
To conceal the form divine. When human wisdom 
Substituted is for revelation, th' serpent 
Having enter'd th' garden, for secrecy there arises 
Necessity, lest one should detect the fallibiHty 
Of the hierarchy: hence the mysteries 
Are inaugurated. Only priests may enter 
Th' inner sanctuary; none but initiates 
May see the form of th' goddess. After a while there are 
So many veils the covering often is mistaken 



44 The Child of the Nations 

For the form. If veils are spotless no one asks, 

Is the King's daughter all glorious within? 

It was not enough to veil the goddess; priestesses 

Must wear veils to indicate that they were virgins. 

Mortal maids e'en strive to hide with tissue veils 

Th' imperfections of their bodies, as the blemishes 

Of soul are hid by fleshly veil. 

Laban made the veil of Leah so thick that Jacob 

Wedded her instead of Rachael, his belov'd. 

Not only Syrians and Egyptians used veils; 

Was not Iphigenia arrayed as a bride? — 

And as she sings that Greece shall be her nuptials, Greece 

Her children, the saffron veil, betokening that she must 

For her country bleed, hides not the cruel blade 

That priest at altar wields, unsexing her for others' 

Sins. So Polyxena likewise suffered, veiled 

As bride while priests pretended that her sacrifice 

Necessary was Achilles' shade to appease. 

If only they were veiled enough, how many crimes 

Sanction'd were by priests. No veils to-day our temples 

Have, yet maidens drap'd with lace are ofttimes sold. 

Th' veil of temple at Jerusalem was rent 

By earthquake, when the Bridegroom of the Church, who 

came 
To break all veils, was crucified. 
Yet mysteries are still in vogue; altar veils, 
Chalice veils, and veils for ugly truths, and much 
Of simple beauty cover'd deep with years of weaving. 
How much further are we on the way to freedom 
Than those children in the olden days? Some light 



Egypt 



45 



From other spheres the childhood of the race had brought. 

Mysteries of Hfe to it were more apparent. 

Life and death and birth are mysteries yet. Before 

Th' hfe on Rhea is the free, full life we crave, 

Lifted must be many veils. ^^ 

As time went on the worship of Osiris was 

Restricted to the waning moon and to the sun 

In Duat, the underworld, where he with Ra divided 

Honors. The world of shade most vividly pictured was 

By th' Egyptian, who gave serious thought to th' place 

Where he expected to spend much time, and from whence he 

Would return. His earthly tabernacle preserved 

Must be, so that his Ka, or astral, might in some 

Mysterious way partake, through it, by means of prayers 

And offerings, made by priests and friends of th' pleasures of 

This life, which would last as long as th' mummy was 

Preserv'd. To weave another body for his Ka, 

To return to labor and to suffer in earth life, 

Would indeed a hardship be, if, as he hoped, 

He had to Duat gone equipp'd for life with Ra. 

Hence was so much time and labor vast expended 

On the tomb, and money willed whenever possible. 

To pay for services and offerings. Was it strange 

That these beliefs were f oster'd by the priests, when rich 

Harvests they thereby did reap? 

Many curious paintings on the walls of tombs 

Show not only what their life was here, but what 

They thought of the Hereafter. One idea is far 

In advance of later ages. In the judgment 

Hall of Duat a picture shows Anubis, son 



46 The Child of the Nations 

Of Isis, weighing th' heart of man. Decision is 

In favor of the man's rectitude if th' heart 

Is more than a feather's weight. That a man is as he thinketh 

Was by a wise king said some centuries later. We 

Still are spelling this trite lesson written on 

Th' tombs of Isis' descendants. Life Hereafter held 

A large place in the minds of these sun-worshippers; yet 

Th' cult of Isis was so popular it spread 

In later days to Greece and Rome, where costly temples 

To the great Egyptian Mother-Goddess were 

Erected. There to-day we find in marble, statues 

Of her beautiful priestesses, who in one hand carry 

A symbol call'd th' "sign of life."^^ With it they conjured. 

If the hooks when shaken turned down, the seed 

Would sprout. The future was foretold by those with 

psychic 
Gifts, while others made wild guesses at the truth, 
As many would-be psychics do to-day. These cults 
Were inaugurated long years after Isis 
Herself had passed to the world of shades; but during 
Her lifetime was Osiris deified, and 
Their son Horus sat upon the throne of Lower 
And of Upper Egypt, when he had avenged 
Th' murder of his father. Horus conquer'd Set 
And all his followers, in a long religious war 
Abolishing serpent worship throughout the land. He was 
Then declared by worshippers of the sun and moon 
To be th' reincarnation of Ra, whose name was added 
To that of Horus; the sacred serpent^® was to the royal 
Crown attached; a hawk's head was given him, 



E'gypt 47 

Which bird, when drinking, by the position of his wings 

Represents the force creative. 

Even in his lifetime Horus was consider'd 

Th' putter down of evil, the victor over the works 

Of darkness. And what more than this a sun-god makes? 

While Ra was never forgotten — does he not direct 

His bark in the nether world, and give that beautiful care 

Of th' divine pilot? — Horus was exalted 

To the rank of highest sun-god Egypt produced; 

His worship that of Kofu, Atma and Ra included. 

As the lotus flower symbolizes the fertility 

Of nature, Horus rising from this sacred blossom 

Of the Nile was chosen to signify that life 

In the spirit higher is than life of earth. 

Deity ever matter transcends. 

Horus' children, four, were for th' cardinal points 

Nam'd, and for a thousand years did his descendants 

Rule the Valley of the Nile. To magnify 

Th' deeds of Horus they delighted, and oft depicted 

Him as conqueror of all evil. Th' sun-disc winged 

Over temple doors or humble dwellings was 

Suppos'd to ward off powers of darkness, and betokened 

Their faith and trust in Horus' strength. 

Descendants of the son of Isis were the last 

Dynasty of Egyptian kings divine entitled; 

Phoenician rule by conquest end'd as it began. 

There came from out the East a grandson of that Noah 

Who from Persian deluge with his family was 

Sav'd. This Semite Menes conquer'd Thinis; there 

His throne established; then built Memphis which he called 



48 The Child of the Nations 

For himself. That he was greatly rever'd, if not 

Worshipp'd by his children's children, is attested 

By the monuments in his honor erected by 

Posterity. Those colossi at Luxor, sometimes called 

"Th' Vocal Memnon," statues are of mighty Menes,^^ 

Several centuries later than his day erected. 

Th' Semite race, from Menes and his followers 

Descended, ruled Egypt fifteen centuries. 

They enlarged or rebuilt the pyramids 

That were near to Memphis. Ata, a king of the first 

Dynasty, built a step pyramid, while in the dynasty 

Third, the pyramid of Medum Seneform 

Erected, importing Babylonish astronomers. 

Dynasty fifth pre-eminently priestly was; 

Towards the end, in the reign of Assa, we find a moral 

Philosopher whose name betokens a worshipper of 

Th' moon. P-tah-hotep,^^ of Memphis high priest, left 

A book of moral maxims written in verse, which more 

Than a curiosity is. These maxims to-day 

Are valuable as Hterature as well as precepts. 

Though the oldest writings yet in Egypt found. 

Their style betrays the fact that P-tah-hotep, however 

Great, was no originator of a written 

Language. Among the many excellent gnomic poems 

One on how a man should treat his wife is modern; 

One on courtesy in conversation full 

Of wisdom is. He says not merely with the Ups 

But with the soul to speak, and silent keep unless 

Th' thing that thou canst speak is perfect. 

Near the end of the old empire, in the sixth 



Egypt 



49 



Dynasty, higher than either priest or king, we find 

Th' name of a common man, a son of th' soil, one Una 

Of Abydos, who by ability and integrity 

Placed himself at th' head of affairs. 

Now a period of decline, by civil feuds 

Caused, and Memphis ceased to be the seat of government; 

Ammon grew in power; many temples built 

Or alter'd were while priests of Thebes for centuries ruled 

Th' land, restoring order by the undertaking 

Of enormous works: the Fayum drain'd, th' Nile floods 

stored 
In Lake Moeris, canals built. The aristocracy 
Saw that they were powerless against these wise 
Priests. In time, the civil authorities were strong 
Enough to insist that Ra should not neglected be, 
A compromise effected was, the name of Ra 
Added to that of Am, the All-god of the Syrians. 
Henceforth th' cult at Thebes was that of Amen-Ra. 
During th' latter part of the dominion of 
Th' Amorite priests, when a pharaoh also of some power 
Reign 'd, it was that Abraham of Ur visiting 
Egypt was surpris'd to find its civilization 
Advanc'd beyond that of Chaldea, especially 
In the deference paid to women and the sanctity 
Of the family. Since the days of Benothis, 
In the second dynasty, women were permitted 
To reign, and since the time of Isis motherhood 
Had been venerated. We revere that pharaoh 
Of the thirteenth dynasty who, because he had 
So little power, took to himself so many names, 



iiiij 



50 The Child of the Nations 

Who with the beauty of Abraham's sister-spouse, 

Sara was taken, yet as soon as he was told 

That she the wife of another was, restored her 

To her Hebrew husband. Famine which had driven 

Abraham to Egypt, prov'd to be a great 

Good. He profit'd doubtless by the wiser laws 

In that land which is the mother of civilization, 

Where the highest symbol is the lotus flower 

Whose blossom is the woman, stem the child, and root 

Th' man. This trinity of earth the father, mother. 

Child, was first in Egypt worshipp'd. 

Some three centuries after the Hebrew patriarch's visit 

To the land of th' Nile, the power of the pharaoh 

Being greatly weaken'd by th' domination 

Of the priests, who though most learned men were never 

Warriors, the Edomites, of Esau followers. 

Descending upon the people of Lower Egypt, a kingdom 

At Memphis establish'd, introducing th' worship of Bel; 

They otherwise became Egyptianiz'd. This rule, 

Which is known as that of Hyksos, or the shepherd 

Kings, from th' thirteenth to the seventeenth dynasty lasted. 

These Edomites it was who th' great rock pyramids 

Converted into tombs. They also built vast temples 

Of marvellous beauty, and tombs for sacred bulls, their god 

Bel or Baal in later days as Apis known. 

Whose vital fluid was by priests for heaHng used: 

Caught in richest cups of silver and of gold 

This potion taken tended to produce longevity. 

During the period of the Hyksos kings it was. 

In the reign of Iran Ra, the Superb, The Dreamer 



^gypt 51 

Sometimes call'd, that Joseph, a Hebrew lad, descended 

From Abram, Isaac and Jacob, by his brethren sold 

To the Midianites, to Egypt came, a slave. 

Where for a time he labor'd, was unjustly imprisoned, 

Yet finally through his gift of divination was 

Brought before the king, whom he so pleased that 

Iran Ra bestowed upon him many honors, 

And gave to Joseph, Asenath, daughter of the priest 

Of On, for wife. Their sons, by Jacob blessed, became ||| 

Leaders, two of th' tribes of Israel nam'd for them. 

By his remarkable foresight godly J^oseph enriched 

Egypt in the time of famine, also brought 

His father and his brethren to this land of plenty. 

The descendants of Jacob lived and multiplied 

By the stream of Nile for centuries four or more. 

Though the Hyksos kings had been expelled by 

Aahmes, that great Nubian warrior whose grandson, 

Thothmes, the worship of the moon reintroduced 

At Thebes, as yet had nothing disturbed the peaceful lives 

Of Israel's descendants. Thothmes First and his 

Grandson Thothmes Third were given to war, and many 

Successful conquests made, the empire extending from 

Ethopia to Palestine and East 

To th' Euphrates, into a province erecting Syria. 

Of all the energetic sovereigns of the eighteenth 

Dynasty, Queen Hatasu is the most distinguished. 

Though half-sister to Thothmes Second, and seven years 

His senior, she became his wife, and reigned jointly 

With him. Then through the minority of the third Thothmes 

She ruled alone, and many temples and obelisks 



ii 



52 The Child of the Nations 

Erected. Her name at Del-el-Bhari still is seen, 

While from other temples it was by Thothmes erased, 

Who two great obelisks^^ set up at Heliopolis, 

Both of which to Alexandria later were removed. 

At Elephantine and at Luxor structures were 

By Thothmes Third begun which Amen-hotep, his 

Great-grandson, finished, whose wife, a Syrian princess, 

urged 
Th' change in worship at Thebes from moon to that of sun. 
In the reign of Amen-hotep Fourth, who also 
Married a Syrian princess, once again sun worship 
Prevails. A hymn of this time seems to change the cruder 
Notion of sun worship to that of sun as source 
Of energy. Philosopher, reformer, and patron of literature 
Too radical to find favor at Thebes, this prince 
With his Syrian consort th' capital to Tel-el- Amarna 
Removed, where some years ago a correspondence 
Political in character, showing friendly relations 
With Syria, was unearthed. After this dynasty 
A period of military despotism ensued. 
Which last'd till Ramses First, a Hittite warrior, founded 
Th' nineteenth dynasty. His son Seti First, a serpent 
Worshipper, as his name betrays, it was of whom 
Th' Hebrew scriptures say: "He knew not Joseph." Now 
Began the persecution of the Israelites 
Whom the Hittites feared and hated. It was Seti 
Who decreed that all male infants of the Hebrew 
Race should be destroyed. The ark in bulrush hidden 
Wherein the baby Moses rest'd, by Miriam watched, 
Was by Seti's daughter found. This Hittite princess 



Egypt 



53 



Beautiful the babe to palace brought and begged 

Permission of her father to adopt it. Stern 

Seti could refuse his darling daughter nothing, 

So it came about that Moses educated 

Was in all the learning of the Egyptians. After 

Th' death of Seti, Ramses Second, his son, who as '^ 

His name betokens worshipp'd rams, did not with favor 

Look upon the Hebrew lad who found it dangerous 

Now to stay in Egypt; for in trying to 

Defend an Israelite an Egyptian he had killed. 

Into the land of Midian thence he fled and came 

To Jethro's house. The aged priest from Jacob descended 

Was so pleas'd with Moses that he gave his daughter 

Zipporah to him for wife. For several years the future 

Prophet led a peaceful life, the flocks of Jethro 

Tending. Hearing how his kindred suffer'd under 

Rule of Seti's son, the longing to deliver 

Israel Moses seized, so that he begged Jethro 

Him to bless and let him go. 

Th' aged priest had in his house a potent rod 

Which to give his son-in-law he much desired. 

One morning after earnest prayer th' wise old man 

For Moses shepherd's crook the rod substituted. |{lj 

Three days and nights was Moses on th' mountain absent; 

Returning was by Jethro met, who saw at once 

By the new light in his face a great experience 

Had come to him, who to his father-in-law related 

All the marvels of the precious rod, recounting 

What Jehovah, great archangel, said, who in 

A blaze of light appear'd like fire within a bush, 



\Mi 



54 The Child of the Nations 

Yet burn'd it not. The vision like a god to him 

Spoke, declaring the Almighty had the cry of his 

Afflicted children heard, and now was calling Moses 

Their deliverer to be. Then Jethro knew 

Who chosen was to set his people free, so gladly 

Gave the rod of power to him, its history telling,^" 

How an angel stay'd th' hand of Abram, Isaac's 

Life to save; how he on Jacob the rod bestowed. 

Who many visions had and wonders did perform 

While he Laban served; that with this rod the Dreamer 

Joseph e'er divin'd, and to distinction rose. 

Whose son Manasseh, knowing that it must be saved 

Though he could ne'er it wield, had carried it to Jethro's 

Home, and bade him keep it safe 'til one arose 

Who might with it be trusted God's mandates to 

Perform. Magicians many knew the use of rods 

Who would rejoice possessing this, but Providence 

Had it preserved not to be misused. Then Jethro 

Godspeed bade to Moses, sent with him Zipporah 

And their two sons. To Egypt as he journey'd with 

Th' rod of God in hand, his brother Aaron came 

To meet him in the wilderness, and they each other 

Kiss'd. Then Moses told to Aaron what words Jehovah 

Spake, declaring unto him the Lord Almighty's 

Help, by whose strong arm the children would from bondage 

Come into the Promised Land. 

To Aaron Moses showed the rod, and told of all 

Th' signs and wonders wrought by it, and promised that 

In sight of all the people Aaron should these feats 

Perform, and speak to Israel's Elders e'en as Moses 



E'gypt 55 

Bade. When Aaron deeds miraculous had done 

And to th' assembled host what Moses dictated spake 

The Elders and the people bowed their heads and worshipp'd 

God, obedience promising Moses. Yet when Pharaoh 

Did refuse request that they might go for holiday, 

And sacrifice unto their Lord present, the people 

Murmured, blaming Moses for the harshness Pharaoh 

Show'd, who sent the messenger away saying, 

I know not who the Lord is that I his voice obey. 

And that same day he gave command that labors be 

Increas'd which Israel's children wrought for him unpaid. 

Then to Jehovah Moses spake complaining, for 

Well he knew the hardness of this king with whom 

In Seti's palace side by side he was brought up. 

His angel guide did him assure that God was hard'ning 

Pharaoh's heart, yet in a little while the king 

Would drive them forth, for strong the arm of Righteousness. 

Still great discouragement Moses felt, for if in earlier 

Days, while yet his father reigned, Ramses gladly 

Had seen Moses exiled, now when ruler sole 

Of Egypt in the zenith of his power, the prince 

Welcom'd not the coming back of this brave man 

Who would the cause of Israel champion. 

For nearly fifty years had Ramses ruled with 

Rod of iron. Not only all at home the knee 

Did bend to him, but from the east much tribute came. 

Which show'd that part of that great Asiatic realm 

He had regain'd, that Thothmes Third had earlier to 

Th' empire add'd, which had been lost for many years. 

Not only stranger tribes did Ramses fight, but his 



56 The Child of the Nations 

Father's people; Hittites felt his cruel onslaughts, 

Though later with his kindred he made peace, and married 

A Hittite princess, yet when boasting of his exploits 

He did not hesitate to magnify his victories 

Over Hittite kings. These wars most graphically 

Described, in vivid though in somewhat exaggerated 

Style, the groundwork form of Egypt's greatest epic. 

Ramses, tired of wars, desired a record that 

Should lasting be of his campaigns. The preservation 

Of rare heroic verse, in which the poet Pentaur 

Celebrates the victories of this boastful king. 

We owe to Ramses' vanity, who the verses that 

His exploits glorified caused to be carved 

Upon the massive pillars of the temple at Karnak, 

"Where his father, Seti, had great pylons raised 

To close the sanctuary to the light of solstice sun, 

Where the priests had praised Osiris for the rise 

Of Nile. Nor would these ram and serpent worshippers let 

Th' light of sun those temples flood which oriented 

Were to vernal equinox, for these were built 

By worshippers of the sun and stars who came from Babylon. 

As conquerors each succeeded each in Egypt; as 

In other lands they brought with them religious prejudice; 

Yet finding here so many temples of gigantic 

Mould, expedient often found it not to destroy 

But these massive structures alter; hence it is 

That pillars block the entrances and darken ancient 

Sanctuaries, when one cult to another gives place. 

Not alone were pylons raised by Seti and 

Ramses, but heads of rams were everywhere in evidence, 



Egypt 57 

And statues of these kings were seen on any possible 

Site. At Abou Simbel four of Ramses Second 

Are still on guard. This superb rock temple was intended 

To glorify Pharaoh, but to-day it stands a monument 

To the Israelites whose patient labor builded 

It and many another, while they wore the yoke 

Of servitude in Libya's land. 

Now living in the glory of these magnificent temples 

And tombs, which only could be builded by an oppressed 

People, far from easy was it for this Pharaoh, 

Who had never in his life been crossed, to let 

His slaves go even for a three-days' feast. Grown old 

In selfishness, greed, and arrogance, the heart of Ramses 

Was hard indeed. He lov'd but one thing besides his power, 

Meren-p-tah, his son, who like his father feared 

Th' Hebrews secretly, yet was loath to part with them, 

Moses knew these men so well he doubted even 

God's power their hard hearts to soften. That 

Pharaoh easily yield was not intended now; 

First he must see the power and might of Israel's Lord. 

To this end Moses and Aaron skill were given beyond 

That of the Egyptian magicians who could do 

Many occult feats, the potency understanding 

Of magnetic rods. Yet through the rod by Moses 

Or by Aaron held, Jehovah's strong arm acting 

Made or stayed the plagues at will, sent horrors, suff'ring. 

Grief, to th' homes of Egypt's mighty men, yet left 

Th' land of Goshen free from pestilence, pests, and death. 

Nor frogs nor Hce disturb 'd th' Israehte though found 

In Pharaoh's bed. To th' fields of Israel's children came 



58 The Child of the Nations 

Nor hail nor fire from heaven; neither did the locusts 

Eat the tender herbs; their cattle died not though 

In the Egyptian's field both man and beast did perish. 

On that last eventful eve, when God so sorely 

Smote, it was that Moses did the hearts of his 

O'erburden'd people prove. If they Jehovah's arm 

Would trust, if in the true God they believed, their faith 

Must written be in blood. Where o'er the doorway now 

Th' sign of Horus' power appear'd, e'en here the blood 

Of lamb must strike, on lintel and on posts be seen. 

That Death's grim messenger might know whose faith was 

firm. 
No longer from the winged disc of sun-god they 
Might protection seek; on Abram's, Isaac's, Jacob's 
Lord alone rely. Minute directions Moses 
Gave, and strict command concerning th' lamb whose blood 
To them would ever be as token that the Lord 
From hand of their oppressors had deliver'd them. 
With fire the lamb must roasted be, with bitter herbs 
And bread unleaven'd eaten at night, and nothing left 
'Til morning; gird'd their loins and staff within their hands; 
Shoes upon their feet. In haste must it be eaten, 
Rememb'ring that it is the Lord's passover. This 
Feast in Egypt, instituted their deliverance 
To commemorate, forever must be kept, 
Their children and their children's children taught its 

meaning. 
Commanded to observe the feast for seven days. 
From the evening of the fourteenth to the evening 
Of the twenty-first day of the month of Abib 



Egypt 59 

Which from henceforth was to be the first of th' year. 

Nothing served to show the change in their reHgion 

More than altering th' year's beginning from the Nile 

Flood at summer solstice to the time of vernal 

Equinox; for this the lowliest among 

Them would perceive a separation indicated. 

But whether even Moses fully understood 

Th' symbolism of th' lamb, its blood upon the door, 

Th' bitter herbs and bread unleaven'd, very doubtful 

Is. The Lord Jehovah he obeyed in smallest 

Details, while in later years the seers have seen 

What was typified by Moses' passover feast 

Which has helped to point the way. 

So great the cry in Egypt when in every house 

Th' first-born died, that Moses and Aaron summon'd were 

By Pharaoh in the night, and bade go serve the Lord 

And take with them their flocks and herds; for urgent now 

Was the Egyptian that this people, by reason of whom 

They had so keenly suffer'd, should depart. So Moses 

And Aaron hasted, and that selfsame day the children 

Of Israel out of the land of Egypt marched six 

Hundred thousand strong; for they beside the Nile 

Four hundred years and more had lived and labored. They 

Carried Joseph's bones with them, as he had bidden 

When prophesying that God would surely visit them. 

Before the Israelites had crossed the sea, repented 

Pharaoh that he let them go from serving him. 

Then all his horsemen, captains, chariots, sent he after 

Them. Yea, even the young Meren-p-tah who ruled 

Beside his father, with the army went, for so 



6o The Child of the Nations 

Willed God. When Israel saw the army of Pharaoh 

Pursuing, 'gainst Moses bitterly murmured they for bringing 

Them into the wilderness to die, for surely th' Egyptian 

Host would them annihilate. 

But Moses feared not, and to the people said, 

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He 

Will show this day to you. The Lord shall fight for you 

And you shall hold your peace. Then spoke the angel, 

saying: 
Tell the people to go forward. 
All that night a strong east wind prevailed, sent 
By the angel of God, which caused th' smoke to go 
Between the camps, so that the Israelites could not 
By their foes be seen, yet light the chosen people 
Had enough from Sinai, sacred mount, whose crater 
High threw out, in form of pillar vast, the cloud 
By day, the fire by night. The same east wind which drove 
Th' smoke between the camps of Israelites and Pharaoh's 
Host, the waters of the sea did make recede 
So much that Moses, stretching out his rod, was able 
To divide the waters, ^^ on either side a wall 
And in the midst thereof the land, so that his people 
Through the sea did walk as if it were dry land; 
Yet when pursuing army came, his arm again 
Across the sea extending, Moses bade the flood 
Of sea return which covered chariots rich and horsemen 
Many, all of Pharaoh's host. So Israel's children 
Saw the dead Egyptians lying on the sands; 
Then feared they God and in his servant Moses trusted, 
And sang forthwith a great triumphal hymn. Then Miriam, 



Egypt 6 1 

Th' prophetess led, with timbrels and with dance, the 

women's 
Choir, antiphonally singing with the men a hymn 
Of praise to Israel's Lord whose mighty arm had them 
Delivered from the house of bondage. 



Bl, 



CANTO III 
India 

TK Israelites who still preferred the laws of Nubian Shu to 
those of Moses, eastward journeyed to th' land of Chaldees. 

Here some eagerly received th' ancient wisdom brought by 
Jacob's children from the mother land, while others frowned 

Upon the cult. So Shu's followers soon to th' Punjab migrated, 
where for many years in peace they dwelt beside the Indus. 

Brahma, soul develop'd, who though an Aryan spirit 
Was of Malaysian parents born, to th' land of India 
Came as forerunner of that race which still in Iran 
Dwelt, who destined were to drive the Semites north, 
And conquer th' aboriginal tribes of northern India. 
Those who to the conquerors would not submit 
Retreated to the hills and mountains where are found 
Their descendants still. These Aryans coming into 
India from th' Iranian plateau a century 
After Brahma's time, possession took of this 
Fertile valley, and assimilat'd th' culture 
Of decadent Malaysians, as the Romans did 
That of th' Greeks. Though Roman bricks ofttimes th' 

Greek 
Marbles cover'd, never for a moment did 
Their lamp of light outshine or overshadow Hellenic 
Radiance. But the men of Iran not only drove 
Th' yellow-skinned people from their fertile fields 
In the land of th' seven rivers, and new methods 

62 



India 63 

Of agriculture introduced; but collecting 

And translating their great store of sacred writings 

Neglected to ascribe them to an ante-Aryan 

Period; while the numerous bright divinities of 

Th' Aryans quite eclips'd th' somber shadowy spirits 

Of the primitive race they conquer'd. 

Malaysians, the autochthonous race of India, coming 

To life on Rhea^ only a century later than 

Th' earliest,^ warriors, priests and tillers of the ground 

Were, whose civilization had so degenerated. 

When the Aryans came it was no more than that 

Of the American Indian when by Anglo-Saxons 

Found. Yet they had left not only mounds and rude 

Rock-tombs, but hymns of highest merit, a drama of such 

Value that its fragments make the world to-day 

Richer, helping all who seek the truth and desire 

Liberation. Th' names of India's earliest poets 

We know not, nor th' conditions under which they wrote. 

Yet of their inspiration there can be no doubt. 

Thirty- three are th' gods of which the Vedic hymns 

Speak, divided into three groups differing in 

Degree, in state and station, though th' Almighty is 

Immutable. These old bards the shining ones above 

Knew, the devas recognized as distinct 

From th' dark earth spirits, dasyus or preventors 

Of light. They also knew the deva-Rishi, saintly 

Man, who from his seat in spheres above his brothers 

Help who still are bound to earth. 

Knowledge of things divine the Veda is, and writers 

Of these sacred songs had certitude; they knew. 



64 The Child of the Nations 

Not merely dances and rude mimes their drama, as 

Often is suppos'd, but literature. The highest 

Philosophic truths these dialogues contain, 

Fragments of which we find in the Upanishads.^ 

Nachiketas, greatest seer in Brahma's day, 

To whose home repaired many pupils, some 

Sons of th' royal house, and even kings themselves, 

Preserv'd for later ages th' greatest of th' truths 

Found in these Malaysian dramas. Nachiketas 

Taught his pupils reverence for the mother-god, 

Th' one of all the gods in India earliest worshipp'd. 

Not Privati, ancient goddess of the Earth, 

But that primeval stuff from which the gods as well 

As men proceed, and part of whom resides within 

Each one of us e'en though unrecognized.* This self 

A light, a finger's length, lies hidden in the heart 

Of man. The wise beholding it within themselves 

From sorrow cease and choose the better rather than 

Th' dearer things in life, no longer led away 

By greed for earth gauds. He who chooses wisdom, wisdom 

Gains, and learns that what is Here the same will e'er 

Be Over There. He knows this light within his heart 

Is one with th' inner self of All; that he in substance 

Is the same as God. A tiny spark of fire 

Must e'er contain the elements of fire. The creature 

Made in image like unto The All, to his 

Creator is as drop of water to the ocean; 

Who sees a difference restless and uncertain is 

And goes from death to death. The knowledge of this Life 

Is gained neither by speech nor sight nor meditation, 



India 65 

Only by affirming it. The light is that 

Which Jesus call'd the candle, and said it should be set 

Upon a hill, not hidden as is oft the case 

By worthless mass of rubbish. How the self to th' great 

Dynamic force of life by radiance may be join'd 

When man, by meditating on the mystic Aum, 

Shall learn to rise by measures three, and pass the narrow 

Gate which leads to higher spheres, where food in pastures 

Green and waters clear life-giving streams may be 

Partaken of, while yet the soul in house of clay 

Doth dwell, wise Pappalada taught. 

This sage in Brahma's time suggested what in after 

Days the Nazarene command'd — Go in and out 

And pasture find, and take of life's waters freely. 

This was the food which He partook of when He said, 

Meat have I that ye know not of. 

Th' saintly Sakayana warns his hearers not 

To preach the secret doctrine save to pupils of 

A mind serene. An esoteric circle has 

Always been encouraged by great teachers. Jesus 

In parables spake to th' many, for their time had not 

Yet come. A time there is for all things, all things come 

In time. Not all mankind for vision ready are. 

God's children differ greatly in attainment. 

As in age souls vary. When on earth for th' last 

Time, a glimpse at least of other spheres the soul 

Will have to make the journey heavenward easy. Seers 

Are those who see beyond. The righteous Sakayana 

Taught that mind the cause of bondage is, as well 

As cause of freedom, and that man his way to life 



66 The Child of the Nations 

Eternal wills, when life within beholds The Life; 

This can never be until from wickedness 

Th' soul has turned away, and emptied envy, hatred, 

Malice, prejudice, from the heart. Then tranquil, free 

From fear or grief, the man will see by grace of God 

Th' majesty of self, and know by choosing that 

He can one become with Universal Self, 

Nor lose an atom of any good that he has gained. 

Besides the many Brahmanical seers and sages who 

Th' philosophic dissertations of the Malaysian 

Drama preserved, there were gifted poets among 

Th' early Brahmins, singing of non-Aryan as well 

As Aryan heroes, giving glimpse of a golden 

Age that passed away before the Semites came. 

Valmiki, holy hermit, pearls of poesy gained 

Through pity. Aided by Narada, messenger of 

Th' gods, of Dasa-ratha's dutious son, the noble 

Rama sang, who Vishnu-like, unfaltering in 

Th' truth, was by privation chasten'd and prepar'd 

To be a father to his people, th' kind Kosalas 

And Videhas in their glorious day, when men 

Of Ayodhya righteous were, when Oudh and Behar warriors 

Marvellous prowess had, and culture deep their priests. 

Valmiki not alone of Rama's wanderings sang 

But of Rama's bride, Mithila's princess Sita, 

Janaka's daughter from the earth with birth imputed 

Miraculous, whose faithful wifehood many sufferings 

And purgations have to womankind endeared 

Her, and given her a place in every Hindu 

Woman's heart. The valiant brothers Rama and 



India 67 

Lakhmana were descended from devout illustrious 

Monarch Sagara, also from the saintly king 

Bhagiratha who the lovely Ganga, daughter 

Of the vast Himalaya mountains, led to th' sea. 

Centuries after Rama's day the Kuru kingdom 

On the upper Ganges stood. 'T was here Bharata's 

Godlike race of knightly men, with maids and matrons 

Fair, so fam'd in song and story, reverenced 

For long years the Holy Vedas, also their authors 

And their heralds, fed the sacrificial fire. 

Gave abundant feasts to rich and poor; made costly 

Gifts, not only from king to king but from the wealthy 

To the needy man; acknowledg'd that the shining 

Ones above were cognizant of their acts; and offerings 

Made to saints and gods celestial, who from seats 

On high o'er them did watch, as well as gifts to saintly 

Seers and priests and holy hermits, helpers here. 

They believ'd that bright immortals came to view 

Their gay parades; and taking pleasure in their pleasures 

Above them sailed in the sky in cars, from whence 

Dropped heavenly flowers whose perfume filled th' air. 

Not only did these men of Kuru have their massive 

Palaces gaily painted, their women much bedecked, 

Their monarchs and their princes jewel-girdl'd, gauntlet'd. 

Their bows and knives and swords aflame with precious stones, 

Their chariots drawn by milk-white steeds and swiftest 

coursers, 
Their actors and their minstrels well paid, loyal their friend- 
ships. 
Their paternal and maternal love alike 



68 The Child of the Nations 

Firmly grounded, so that the mandate of a mother 
To her sons was final; but many of the heroes 
Of this Bharata land were god-born, or their birth 
God-inspired, fighting to the end their fight, 
Yet dying they forgot not to forgive their murderers. 
So it was in Kuru kingdom when Vyasa 
Of Hastina's ancient walls did sing, which Ganges' 
Bright wave washed; and of Yudthisthar's palace 
Built on Jumna's sacred shore, and of the old 
Blind king Dhritarashtra, father of Duryodhan, 
Who the sons of Pandu fought so fiercely when 
Jealousy had darkened his hard heart so that 
Even saintly, white-rob'd Drona, warrior-priest. 
Could not stay his murd'rous hand. So peerless Bhishma 
He bade lead the Kuru race in war unrighteous 
'Gainst their kindred; thence fell many godlike men. 
Now we read that Krishna with Hastina's monarch 
Pleaded long for peace and love with sweet and soft 
Persuasion; that the fatal feud might cease; that Bhishma 
Strongly urged Duryodhan yield to Krishna's counsel; 
That Drona, wise preceptor, bade him list to these 
Peerless chiefs and not to those who wished th' war, 
Prophesying that brave Arjun, son of Indra, 
Aided by the righteous Krishna, could not be 
O'ercome; and that the sightless kind old father wept 
And strove to turn Duryodhan's mind, the friendship of 
Th' noble Pandu brothers begging him to seek, 
Letting strife and hatred cease. But proud Duryodhan 
Was with ten strong kings allied, and naught could bend 
His ignoble pride nor quell his boundless greed. 



India 69 

He hop'd to wipe his hated kinsmen off the earth. 

Also we read of Drupad, fair Panchala's monarch, 

Whose dear daughter Draupadi, in mighty contest 

By Arjun gain'd, the wife of Yudhishthir 

Became; and of Matsya's King, whose daughter fair 

Was bride of Arjun's beauteous boy. These kings the army 

Of the Pandu brothers joined. 

We read of wind-born Bhima, stalwart fighter, who 

With furious valor strove; of Arjun, Vishnu-like, 

Who, when god-incarnate Krishna served him 

As charioteer, the death of peerless Bhishma caused. 

Then when Abhimanyu, fair Subhadra's boy. 

Was slain by Sindhu's monarch and six Kuru warriors. 

Boundless Arjun's wrath and deep his grief for death 

Untimely of his valiant son, while fiercely burn'd 

His vengeance on that day of arduous, cruel quest. 

Krishna, ever kind and thoughtful, groom'd and fed 

His jaded horses, healed their bleeding wounds ere Arjun 

Drove his furious car against brave Jayadratha, 

And laid him low with vengeful arrows. 

Yet when Drona, peerless, wise preceptor, slain 

Was by Panchala's prince, a filial tear brave Arjun 

Dropped o'er his lifeless corpse. When sun-born Kama 

Whose famous bow Vijaya that once to Par'su-Rama 

Belong'd, met Arjun with his bow, Gandiva, gift 

Of gods, these heroes equal were in strength and bravery. 

Naught did Kama fear save Arjun's charioteer. 

And begged that mighty Satya, Madra's king, his car 

Might drive. This favor by Duryodhan granted was. 

Then for two long days these archers, so well matched, 



70 The Child of the Nations 

Fought, and neither knew that both were sons of Pritha. 

At length when valorous Arjun conquer'd dauntless Kama, 

We know that more than mortal strength was his, and this 

Was granted him, we're told, because in path of virtue 

He was fighting for the right. 

On the fifteenth day, the last day of the war, 

Bhima, having slain Duryodhan's brothers all. 

Met the hateful king, and for his many crimes 

Him arraigned, calling hideous deeds the one 

After another to mind ere him he sent to Yama, 

Monarch of the regions of the dead. Then from 

Hastina's palace hall came forth the Queen Gandhari 

With many moaning maids and widow'd matrons, weeping 

Bitter tears o'er loved ones' corpses found on field 

Of battle. Stately in her sorrow stood Gandhari 

WhUe to Krishna speaking. That Duryodhan now 

In heaven dwelt herself she comfort'd. When the funeral 

Rites were o'er the sightless Dhritarashtra with 

His Queen Gandhari and the ancient Pritha, mother 

Of the Pandu brothers, into retirement went 

To the forest, where ere long they met their fate 

By fire. One after another the heroes die, then Arjun's 

Grandson, Prakshit, upon the throne is placed, and pious 

Yudhishthir proceeds to Paradise in car 

Celestial. We follow him and note that Krishna now 

In heavenly form the good man meets, and him presents 

To Draupadi his dear earth mate, to father and 

To mother and all his brothers brave. The sun-god Indra 

Then shows the king the heroes Bhishma, Kama, Drona, 

All the true and virtuous chiefs of Kuru kingdom. 



India 71 

In the glimpse we have of heaven mention is 

Not made of selfish, impious king Duryodhan. 

So closely this historic epic of the war 

Of th' Bharatas twin'd itself around the people's 

Hearts, that generations later when a writer 

Or a teacher would preserve a legend or 

A maxim emphasize, it was inserted in 

The Mahabharata. So Vyasa's bouquet 

Of verses^ has to vast proportions grown, wreath'd 'round 

With much that's good midst many weeds. When Krishna 

worship 
Dominant became, the ancient dialogue 
Between brave Arjun and his heavenly charioteer 
Was by wise preceptor Sanjaya heard with inner 
Ear; wherein the godhke slayer of Madu teaches 
Th' son of Kunti helpful truths, instructing him 
That slaying a man's body in no wise slays the man, 
For he to the imperishable belongs; having been 
From the beginning, will be always. The everlasting 
Abiding Ancient is not slain when th' body perishes. 
Yet Arjun wishes not to smite his kindred 
Not desiring victory. Krishna then assures 
Arjun that this fight is lawful, and 'twould be 
Dishonorable in him not to wage the battle. 
Further th' Lord to Pritha's son explains the rule 
Of work: that no man wins adeptship leaving work 
Undone; without the doing of deeds no one can come 
To the plain of rest, but wise is he who ever unwearying 
Works with no desire of fruit of works, for that 
Work done free from attachment wins to the supreme. 



72 The Child of the Nations 

Further Krishna to his faithful one makes plain the difference 

Of the moods, and how to pass beyond them by 

The cleansing power of knowledge, which through faith to him 

Is given who wisely holds the reins of his emotions. 

Mind than sense is higher, understanding higher 

Still than mind, while self that in the heart abides 

Highest is, for of the Undivided Supreme 

It is part. "Who refuge seeks within and casts 

His cares on Me wins peace at last. "® Thus spake the Lord 

Whose words were ages later into this epic woven; 

Which by many later critics is considered 

Modern, but Sankaracharya called it 

The essence of all the Vedas; while to-day the native 

Men of erudition hold that th' Bhagavad Gita 

Was long before Vyasa's day, before the Aryans 

Migrated into India,^ though much mutilated 

Now by modern would-be seers. 

Time came when the prophet Brahma was forgotten. 

Though half hidden by the rites and mummeries of 

Th' sacerdotal order, much of his teachings remain'd. 

Yet men of learning claiming to be than monarchs higher, 

Some enlightened and some not, but knowing that 

That which animates the man is spirit, worshipp'd 

Breath, and taught that Brahma was th' Creator. While 

Th' ignorant and uncultur'd here as elsewhere had 

Many gods, th' Brahmin monotheistic was 

At first; the lesser gods were all impersonations 

Or the attributes of Brahm. 

Th' Aryans brought a number of deities from Iran; 

Then adopted all they found in their new home, 



India 73 

And invented for this sunny clime a bright 

God who became in time a veritable Apollo, 

Athwart the sky his chariot driving, attended by 

Th' haratas; Indra gradually took the place of th' great 

Mother, honors ahke sharing with th' protector 

Vishnu and th' destroyer Siva, who together 

With Brahm had form'd a triune God. 

Th' Brahmin minstrels, singers of sacred songs, at first 

Became the priests, and later on a caste, whose claim 

To superiority was enhanced by 

Th' teaching that the Brahmin proceeded from the mouth 

Of th' Creator, while the Rajputs from his arms 

Came forth, the Vaisyas from his thighs, and from his feet 

Th' Sudras. Of course those who proceeded from the 

mouth 
Must teach; those coming from the arms were warriors 
And princes; while the product of the belly or 
Th' thighs should work; and those born of the feet be slaves. 
Separated were these castes by iron-bound rules 
Fost'ring prejudice, injustice, pride. To break 
Their rigid order no one tried until the Master 
Came, the Samda-Budhi, reincarnate Brahma, 
Greatest of the Aryan teachers, th' brotherhood 
Of man proclaiming; founding th' Order of the Yellow 
Robe, so that deliverance from delusion might 
To mankind be preached, th' barriers breaking down 
That bind the soul to earth lives; fetters cutting that 
Create necessity for reincarnation. Buddha 
Sought and found in man and womankind wise helpers — 
Men to preach and teach; to nurse the sick and tend 



74 The Child of the Nations 

Th' temple, nuns and matrons kind, who food and clothes 
To th' despised poor dispensed, also practic'd 
Generous hospitality, gaining lasting good. 
Whether in oval isle of Ceylon, or 
In northern land of Ouhd where Sakyas dwell 
As tributary princes to Kosala's 
King, was this rare prince Siddartha born 
Is of little moment. Whether palace 
Was his home or humble dwelling place 
Matters not. Or if as later legends 
Say, his mother Maya was by gods 
Above impregnat'd — what of it? A Virgin 
Is a man begettor. Yes, one able 
To produce a virile man, a hero; 
For consciously or unconsciously is all 
Conception caused by Holy Spirit power. 
Who knows her kinship to the gods will be 
Th' mother sought by souls who purpose help. 
Whoe'er his father or his mother, born 
On earthplane was the master call'd Gautama, 
Who the key to heaven's kingdom found; 
Show'd th' open door to those made ready 
For the vision; taught that knowledge freedom 
Brings to those with eyes and ears for truth, 
Th' many moral teachings of the past 
Condens'd into the eightfold path, a doctrine 
Plainly pointing to the cause of suff'ring;® 
Stating how to quench the thirst for earth lives, 
How to vanquish vain desire and banish 
Delusion; how to overcome the tempter 



India 75 

Of forest ! Then an order founded of mendicant 

Monks, who donn'd the yellow robe with meek 

Grace, their daily bread in bowl accepting, 

Making the giver richer for the gift. 

Brahmins not alone to this new order 

Came, but high or low were welcome if 

Ready in themselves to seize a ray 

Of light that from Gautama's well enlighten'd 

Soul in floods fell round. 

Then as rivers all to ocean run 

Whatsoe'er their caste had been, these men 

As one Bhagava cry. Exalted One! 

Buddha! He who knows. 
Among the earliest converts of this prince Siddartha 
Were the mighty kings of Magahda and Kosala, 
Also wise Jivaka whom Bimbisara appointed 
Physician of the Order. When Buddha at Benares 
His first sermon preach'd, he won a numerous following. 
Then in Jetavana's garden many merchants 
And many men of humble birth he taught, while women 
Throng'd to hear him, though to highest fellowship 
None admitted were. The gentle Yasodhara 
Became a nun, and good Visakha of Savatthi 
Praised was for hospitality. 
MaggoUana and Saruputti, Buddha's early 
Friends, though disaffected for awhile to th' master, 
Return'd anon and faithful followers were; but none 
So well as Ananda understood his word, though many 
'Brethren went throughout the land the Way of Peace 
Declaring, which the Buddha had proclaim'd; and after 



76 The Child of the Nations 

He had shed the mortal shell his teachings at Patna 

Were collected. But divisions came, and neither 

Th' council of five hundred nor of seven hundred 

Held the believers to one mind. 

Asoka, grandson of the famous Chandra Gupta 

Of Behar and th' daughter of Seleukis, who 

With Antiochus th' Great made treaties and extended 

His empire southward, made of Buddhism a state religion, 

Conven'd a council, corrected heresies, collected 

Th' sacred books, promoted institutions of learning 

For men and women, hospitals built for man and beast, 

Missionaries sent to teach. Conversions always 

By persuasion were and never by the sword. 

Numerous rock inscriptions permanent record make 

Of good Asoka's work. His son the sacred canon 

To Ceylon carried; thence it spread to Burma and 

Th' Eastern Archipelago, 

Buddhism grew the better for transplanting. Though 

It prevailed in India for a time, never 

Was Brahminism entirely crush'd or rooted out. 

From the pen of Megasthenes we learn that kingly 

Government in Gupta's day was much the same 

As that prescrib'd in Manu's laws. 

While the Gupta kings in Ouhd were reigning, and 

Th' Sah kings held the northwest near Bombay, 

Those vast invasions by the Tartars started, which 

For over a thousand years all India devastated. 

Fame one monarch won attempting to drive the Scythian 

Hordes beyond th' Himalayas. Th' Samvat era began 

In honor of his victories. Then a century later 



India 77 

Th' successful exploits of another valiant king 

Th' Saka era marks. But still the Tartars came. 

Ishmael's descendants, cultur'd Arabs, in th' eighth 

Century of the Christian era conquer'd th' Sind, 

Mohammedanism introducing, which a rapid 

Growth had in the north, while in the south of India 

We find the faith of Brahma reasserting itself. 

Kumarila of Behar the Vedic doctrine 

Preached of a personal God, and while in his 

Day the Buddhists suffered persecution, he 

And his most famous pupil Sancharacharya mould'd 

The philosophy of the Brahmins into the more 

Popular religion of the Hindus. 

Siva now became the favorite deity. In 

Th' minds of th' cultur'd class this is the wisdom of 

Th' serpent, while to th' ignorant man or woman it is 

Only phallic worship. Vishnu never was 

Forgotten; he who brighten 'd day at morn, at noon 

And eventide; who from his home in heaven willingly 

Descended, taking human form, as Rama First; 

Then, as Krishna incarnating, high-soul'd princes 

Of the great war epics, Vishnu, god of light. 

Slowly gain'd pre-eminence in the minds of th' people 

Especially those of th' middle class. The worship of 

Vishnu spread, becoming the popular cult of even 

Th' most despised caste, after Ramanand 

Of Benares chose his twelve disciples from 

Th' poorest, and the dialect of the common people 

Used in th' familiar folk songs and war ballads. 

One of Ramanand's disciples, Kabir, to unite 



78 The Child of the Nations 

Th' Hindu and Mohammedan strenuously strove. 

Eloquently he set forth the oneness of God, 

Saying to the Mussulman: To th' West, to Mecca, 

Thou for God dost look; and to the Hindu: Thou 

Lookest East, to Benares; but if only your 

Heart you would explore, there both would find the same 

God, the Inner, He to whom the whole wide world 

Belongs, — the Father of both peoples. 

From Usman's raids to Ahmad Shah's devastations 

Th' triumphs of the iarmy of Islam were but partial 

And temporary, meeting with resistance in 

India keener than elsewhere. Yet by Muhmud twelve 

Times was India invad'd, though it was not 'til 

Th' day of Akbar that an Islamic empire existed. 

Most wise his policy was of giving to the Hindu 

Chiefs high posts in government, which not only brought 

Them into political dependence on him, but induc'd 

Them to mingle their blood in marriage with th' Mughals. 

Thus did Akbar reduce the states of Upper India 

To provinces of the Delphic empire. Yet withal 

In the south his efforts frustrated were by th' valor 

Of a queen.^ To various forms of religion Akbar 

Was hospitable; he also encouraged learning; his 

Red stone fort at Agra is still admir'd, and stands 

In marked contrast to the exquisite marble temple 

Erected by his grandson Shah Jahan. This was 

The height of the Mughal empire in India. Even before 

Th' British came, decline began. Mohammedan princes 

Resist'd th' EngHsh army at many places, yet soon 

Th' great Mughal was but a puppet, mov'd by British 



I India 79 

Hands. The longest and the strongest opposition 

To British rule came from the Hindus. 

Th' military supremacy of the English in 

India only began after the battle of Plassey. 

Th' victor became the Governor of Bengal, and made 

Vain but most heroic efforts for good government. 

It was after Clive's second administration 

During th' term of Macpherson, English governor third, 

That the orientalist Jones, the translator of 

Th' Persian poet Hafiz, found the Sanskrit drama, 

And made an English version of the Sakoontala 

An exquisite picture of the pastoral life in the dawn 

Of India's day. Though oftener we read the poetic 

Translation of this drama by Monier- Williams, to him 

We owe most thanks who to the western world first brought 

Kalidasa's light, a poet greatest among 

Th' nine bright gems who grac'd the court of Vik-rama-dity, 

King of Ujjain, in a day when Buddhism was 

Uppermost in India, ere it was transplanted 

To China, Siam, or Japan. 



CANTO IV 
China 

It was the canon of the Scythian King Kanishka, who held the 
last great Buddhist council and revised th^ sacred books, 

That became a state religion of China, spreading through the 
north of India, thence to Thibet, Tartary and the southern 

Part of China, where Buddhistic thought is still preserved in 
purest form by people who know that spirit first is born. 

Which weaves an envelope for itself best suited to 
Th' sphere in which it dwells. The soul life then evolves, 
Spinning a little coarser thread for rougher uses, 
Forming a case to work in, lastly th' earth-house, call'd 
By some the natural body. So the law of life: 
First that which is spiritual, and afterwards 
Th' earthy, cemented by a middle life which rules 
Th' emotional man. As in the unit, so it should 
Be in the mass; and if we but look deep enough, 
Go back far enough in the history of a race 
That has come to aught, we ever find it so. 
China's child is law; and children here not only 
Must have little feet to be aristocratic, 
But must be laced about the waist, and bound in many 
Layers of rich clothes, so nothing of their natural 
Form is seen. Conventions multitudinous 
Have hemm'd her children in so long, her men and women 
Can be walked upon. Yet underneath, like frozen 

80 



China 

Stream in winter, th' current still sets toward the sea; 

So, though held by too much outward form, the nature 

Of the Mongol is not frigid; deep down under 

Th' crystallized surface paternal love still moves 

His heart; his spirit yearns for higher spirits that 

He believes are ever near. 

If we stir the stream of individual life 

We find it warm within; so if we drop the plummet 

Down the sea of th' race, we find a prophet, whose 

Name is but a name for God. 

Early in the morning of Time, beside 

Th' river Wei, in land now nam'd for him 

Tartary, lived the grand man Tao, who 

To his land the first laws gave — and they 

Are more to-day than then, for laws of spirit 

Live and grow. The sage of Tartary bade 

His disciples live a simple life. 

Not seek to govern men, but strive the nations 

Of the kingdom inside to subdue. 

His word was ever self-effacement. His 

Favorite figure was the valley; for 

As to th' lowlands all the waters of 

Th' hills must run, and all the richest earth 

Be borne, so honor ever to the humble 

Man will come, and that which without seeking 

Comes is always best. 

For the sake of results must naught be done, 

Else th' result will not avail, says Tao. 

He taught the easy, level way: that small 

Things must be considered great, and few 



The Child of the \atiofis 



Many: -while with kindness injur}- ever 

ISlust be recompensed. 
To Tao there was neitJier Yin nor Yang, but just 
Th' All. Forgetting that e'en life in process of 
Creation must have ebb and flow, repulsion and 
Attraction, th' Taoists of to-day have stopp'd progressing; 
Their religion only one of forms, the prophet 
E'en forgotten by his followers, a word his name. 
Yet 'neath the sands that give it birth pure water sinks 
To rise again in other lands, or flow in wells 
WTien men dig deep enough; so ages after Tao's 
Stream of spiritual wisdom buried was in Tartary, 
It rose in China, when the Old Child, Laotze, 
Who kept the archives for the King of Chu, the fountain 
Found, the heavenly stream of Tao recognized. 
Knew the pearls of thought he found encrusted by 
Th" ages, and gladly gaA'e them Hght.'^ 
Confucivis of Lu to th' Old Child went for wisdom; 
But so unlike were these two men in mental build. 
They f omid no common groimd on which to meet : yet both 
Would teach the golden mean, would have men Hve by 

golden 
Rule. Confucius was courtier, politician, 
Reformer more than philosopher; regarding outward 
diodes of life was sage. He voiced Aiews held long 
Before his day; a canon of ceremonious customs 
Codified that from earHest times existed. 
His disciples gather'd th" fragments left from ancient 
Feasts in baskets five, which gave the histor}-, poetry, 
Laws and manners of antiquit}.*. 



China 83 

Th' earliest race in China passed away before 

Th' time of histor}'. Next the ^Mongol evolved, but 

Not for many centuries mixed his blood with that 

Of Malay or of Tartar neighbor; yet the three 

Gradually an amalgam formed, with a sprinkling 

Of that Semite stock which brought the cult of Shu^ 

Across the Tibetan hil ls when they by Ar\-ans were 

Driven out of northern India. 

From what the Chinese sages saved we leam that ia 

Th' ancient days the Highest One by China's children 

Under name of Yao worshipp'd was; that heaven 

Descended were their emperors deem'd, and reverenc'd 

As the fathers of the race; that later d^iiasties 

Gained their names from new rehgious cults; that those 

Recognizing God within are Yia, those seeing 

More of God in outward things, the Yang or Wang. 

Woo Wang, foimder of the d}Tiast\' Chou, a memor>' 

Left not reverenc'd less than that of Yu, who foUow'd 

The heavenly Emperors Yao and Shin, when he with almost 

Superhuman power had dealt with mountain floods, 

River courses changing, marshy lands reclaiming. 

In the Trigrams of Fu-hsi we see the knowledge 

Of a positive and negative force in nature: 

But in the hands of priests the hexagrams became 

A system vast of di^■ination. 

^Nlencius, mother'd carefuUy, cull'd th' flowers Confucius 

Cultivated, tied the seeds in labelled packets. 

Mo-Ti, to whom antiquit\- was not as sacred 

As to orthodox Confucius, affir ms that aU 

E\'ils in familv or in state arise from want 



84 The Child of the Nations 

Of mutual love — as altruistic he as Yang-Chu 

Is frivolous. Broad are Schopenhaur's ethics compared 

With Yang-Chu's, whose denial of free-will 

Is a link in the process of decay of th' Chou 

Dynasty, far more pregnant than the change to Tartar 

Dress by King Wu-ling, or introduction of 

Cavalry to a people used only to chariots. 

Neither th' building of great walls nor burning records 

Stayed th' ship which rides the waves of history. Woo, 

Taitsong's widow, ruled th' land for forty years, 

When enlighten'd Arabs built a mosque at Canton; 

But not 'til Marco Polo wrote did th' western world 

Know much of that vast empire rul'd by Kublai Khan, 

Grandson of the ablest of the Mongol leaders.^ 



CANTO V 
Persia 

Had Genghis Khan ne'er conquered Syria, still upon the soil of 
Persia we should find the impress of the dominant eastern 

Race. For ages long before the Tartars teas'd their eastern 
neighbors, or their territory tried to gain, they westward 

Marched, passed th' Tibetan mountains, and an empire founded 
in the plain between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates. 

Here as elsewhere on this planet, man on th' sixth 

Day began to live. At once he surpassed all 

That had existed here through ages, ofttimes called 

Days, before the heat within the globe came forth 

Enough to foster him. If upon the surface of facts 

He liv'd and saw some light that since is lost, — nay, only 

Clouded for a season, — if he read a message 

In the stars that has been blurr'd for years, his children 

Yet unborn shall fairer, fuller lessons read 

When light their robes of clay has percolated. This mud, 

Th' elements three times three containing, used was 

In form of sun-dried bricks impress'd with ideograms 

To tell the story of their civilization; yet 

Long years before they felt the need of written records 

These prehistoric races warr'd over their religious 

Differences. The overworld they worshipp'd with 

Its day- and night-time luminaries, but the tribes 

Dispers'd and families were divided as to whether 

Th' Sun be called Ar or Ra, or Al or La. 

85 



86 The Child of the Nations 

Th' Persians never had a definite mother god; 

But Tur, the thunder, thought to be a force maHgn 

Was worshipp'd as a goddess. Devotees of Tur, 

Turanians, early went to Africa, Italy and 

Spain; there the city Tarshish built. 

Wars between the sons of Sehm, Tur, and Irij 

Many heroes made; the foremost one of whom, 

Rustem brave, whose father Zal by Simurgh nourished 

Was, with axe of Sam in hand, astride Rakush 

His wondrous horse by demon foaled, seven marvellous 

Feats performed; then the Persians led 'gainst Turan 

And the allied Tartar hosts, and champion proved. 

Yet his majestic child, Tahmineh's son, Sohrab, 

Unwittingly he slew, and all too late his offspring 

Knew. But still their deeds in fadeless colors live 

On Firdausi's poetic page.^ 

By and by religious amalgamation effected 

Was by Iran and Turan to protect themselves 

Against the Tartars who brought learning from the land 

Of the Sacred Tongue, where the sun was more 

Than an archer god; where men for ages had 

Studied th' movements of the heavenly bodies, th' spirit 

In and behind them worshipping, rather than their form, 

It was the Tartars who to Persia gave th' Sumerian 

Culture and a language than th' Semitic older 

Far. One branch in history known as Hittites drove 

One of th' earlier races northwest, where in the mountains 

They retain'd their primitive ways. To-day these are 

Caucasians called. Persia's other Titan race, 

Known to-day as Aryans, for a time were driven 



Persia 87 

South and west. Some went to Egypt; thence returning 
Settled in Phoenicia; but before this time 
Cyclops from the north had come and left their story 
In the massive stones at Baalbec. Very much 
Of the record of the earliest peoples was 
Destroyed in Noah's deluge, but one book, that of Job, 
Th' Aramaean philosopher, full of dramatic fire, 
Th' kernel of the Christian faith containing, was 
Saved; and their thought was carried on by one 
Born in far-fam'd Noe before the flood, 
Saved in the ark, so marvellously 
Built. While yet a little child he saw 
His father and his grandfather thanks return 
To the God of Earth and Heaven, when 
On Ararat they saw the waters abating. 
Is it strange that Shur's soul should be 
Strongly stirred, and his heart for action 
Throb; or that he should the will of heaven 
Feel, and early know his destiny? Taught, 
While still a little lad, by his father Shem 
To pull the bowstring, not at elk or doe 
Or mountain goat he aim'd, but upward sent 
His arrows, hoping they would pierce the sun. 
When later he had grown to be a mighty 
Hunter, heavenward his thoughts were sent. 
And still extraordinary deeds he craved. 
Feeling th' power of tides and waves, yet knowing 
Not their origin, he shared th' popular 
Belief that Anu, god of the celestial 
Ocean, inundations brought about 



88 The Child of the Nations 

As punishment for wicked men. To help 
Mankind above all else was Shur's desire. 
Having slain a goodly lion, he 
Sacrificed him to the sun, then built 
Altars three — to fire, to earth, and water. 
Around the last a temple rear'd to Nun, 
Where priests in robes resembling fish^ petition'd 
Heaven ne'er to send another flood. 
Near this temple soon arose a city- 
Built by mighty men, a chosen band 
Of Shur's, and he their lawgiver was and king. 
Th' wheel with wings he made his emblem, ever 
Conscious that his inspiration came 
On wings from place beyond the sun, which orb 
He worshipp'd as the source of life terrestrial. 
Not only his descendants took his name. 
And rul'd in Nineveh, but all the country 
Round was called for him Assyria.^ 
Shur's kinsman, mighty Nimrod, Erech conquer'd 
And Akkad, builded Calneh in the land of Shinar 
Where for centuries Tartars had held sway. 'T was here 
Gishdubar laurels won, Eabani fighting. 
Here Istar for long was deem'd a goddess. Brave 
Merodach exalted was to sun-god when 
He had slain Tiamat, great sea serpent, whose 
Spirit shone in Milky Way. 

Two centuries after Shur a sovereign nam'd Shargina 
Arose who master'd Babylonia, then carried 
To the Mediterranean Sea his arms. He called 
His empire Sumer and Akkad. Naram Sin, his son, 



Persia 89 

Left a wonderful portrait of himself in stone, 

And maintain'd his father's empire, keeping the Elamites 

At bay, who ever sought to destroy the arts and records 

Of the towns of Lower Zab. 

A civil war arose in Peleg's day,^ which drove 

A remnant of the Semites further south. So Nahor 

Went to Gurra's land and Terah dwelt at Ur 

In Chaldea; whence his son by God was call'd to Canaan, 

Where Abram by Melchizedek was blessed, who gave 

Him bread and wine. Here Abram fought with Sodom's 

king 
To rescue Lot, and slew the king of Elam. After 
This with th' angel of the Lord, to spare the wicked 
Cities Sodom and Gomorrah, Abram pleaded. 
Now Amraphel of Shinar, in the vale of Siddim 
Warred, and th' Elamites to their mountains drove, 
Then reunited Sumer and Akkad. Now Marduk 
Bel supreme became, whereas En-lil of Nippur 
Had long been call'd the All. The change was only one 
In name; both worshipp'd the creative fluid of 
Th' bull, which as a potion taken gives longevity. 
Th' limits of his empire Amraphel not only 
Now extend'd, but peace restored, literature 
And astronomy encouraged, and a written 
Code of laws to his people gave. One of these 
Graven tablets was to Susa taken five 
Centuries later when the Kassites conquer'd Babylon, 
Where for full six hundred years they held the throne, 
And assimilated Babylonian culture. 
That the Semites mix'd their blood with that of Huns 



90 The Child of the Nations 

We learn from grief Rebecca show'd when Esau took 

To himself a Hittite wife, from which admixture 

Th' indomitable Edomites arose, whose country 

In early days the Israelites pass'd round when Edom's 

King refus'd their marching through; nor with this people 

Israel fought as they with many of their kindred 

Did as well as nations strange. Yet Balaam saw 

A star arising out of Jacob that should possess 

This people; while post-exilic Isaiah spoke of Christ 

As one from Edom coming, his garments stain'd with blood. 

Soon after Israel came again to Canaan, his next 

Capitol Shalmaneser built at Calah which 

Later was absorbed by Nineveh. Then for a time 

Semite Nebuchadnezzar led victorious armies; 

But that he gained could not hold, while his successors 

Were overcome by th' rising power in Assyria. 

They felt the sway of that strong king — " Conqueror 

Of hostile countries and subduer of all rebels, " 

As Assur-ris-isi was by his greater son 

Tiglathpileser styl'd — who statesman was as well 

As warrior; even unto Egypt his success was known. 

His lengthy annals tell of many prosperous 

Expeditions, widely extending Syria, conquering 

Babylon, Canaan invading, coming e'en to Lebanon. 

But as night follows day, after conquest a period 

Of inaction usually ensues. Tiglathpileser 

Found no one in Syria or in Canaan able 

To resist his arms; but when two centuries later 

His successors tried to reach th' Phoenician coast 

They were not only met by Aramaeans, who 



Persia 91 

On th' fallen Hittite empire had a kingdom 

Founded at Zobah and Damascus, but in Palestine 

Found new forces firmly planted, for a kingdom 

Israel had established there. 

Samuel, prophet-priest, to th' cries of Israel's children 

For a king had acceded; Saul, tall son of Kish, 

Anointed them to lead to battle; but not the rod 

Of Aaron did Samuel give to Saul, which Joshua, son 

Of Nun, of all the Hebrew leaders greatest, brought 

To Canaan; with it dividing th' waters of Jordan, tumbling 

Th' walls of Jericho through knowledge of acoustic 

Laws long since forgotten; making the sun on Ascalon 

Stand still, or appear to do so by the help of his 

Angel-guide and th' mighty rod. This was the weapon 

Caleb used to fight the giants. Othniel, son 

Of Caleb's brother Kenaz, with this magic twig 

Th' king of Mesopotamia defeated. Then arose 

Left-handed Ehud, son of Gera who the king 

Of Moab, Eglon, slew, and in his belly left 

Th' potent rod which, used for death instead of life. 

Long was lost. This rod once only by a woman 

Was possessed. Poetess and prophetess 

Deborah judged Israel many years. She aided 

Barak rout their enemies; then sang the praise 

Of Heber's wife who drove the nail in Sisera's head. 

Captain brave of Jabin's army, when in the Kenites' 

Tent he rest'd while his mother peering through 

Th' lattice wonder'd why the chariot wheels so tarried. 

Again did Israel evil in the sight of the Lord. 

So the Midianties, Amalikites and Amorites 



92 The Child of the Nations 

Prevailed against them 'til an angel brought the wondrous 
Rod to Gideon, mighty man of valor, whose 
Chosen men their trumpets blew and cried, Th' sword 
Of Gideon and the Lord, which sword was Adam's rod. 
With it their foes he vanquish'd, yet refus'd to rule. 
For many years no ruler came. Then greatly fearing 
Ammon th' men of Gilead sent to th' land of Tot 
For Jephthah, on whom the spirit of the Lord did rest. 
With Gideon's rod in hand he sallied forth to fight, 
Vowing to sacrifice whatever should come forth. 
First, on his return to meet him, when victorious 
To Mizpah he came. Behold, it was his daughter who 
Came out with minstrel and with dance to greet him. Jeph- 
thah 
Sorrowfully now his vow perform'd, his only 
Child condemning to virginity.^ 
Next Manaoh's Herculean son heroic deeds 
Accomplish'd, Dagon's temple overthrew, the death 
Of many causing. Samuel, like Samson, was the child 
Of aged dame, hence rul'd by judgment more than passion, 
Kept the rod throughout his lifetime, realizing 
Saul from witches e'er was seeking aid, advice 
From familiar spirits asking, instead of gaining 
All his wisdom from the Lord. 
To David, whom in Hebron he appointed, Samuel 
Bequeath'd th' precious rod, and taught the son of Jesse 
How with other spheres he could communicate 
By means of Ephod,^ Urim (earpiece), thiunbpiece (Thum- 

mim) 
Form'd of clay and epho in shape to user suited 



Persia 93 

Best. To priests of Egypt this was known, and used 

By Levites who understood its law. 

Able men surrounded Jesse's youngest son, 

Sons of Zola of the tribe of Issachar 

Were men that understood the times. Those that to David 

Came in Zikley ambidextrous were in throwing 

Stones, while sons of Gad with faces lionlike 

Could the shield and buckler handle, and were swift 

As roes upon the mountains. Amasai of captains 

Chief, Jehoshophat, son of Ahilud, recorder, 

Zadok, Ahimelech, chief priests, and Joab, leader 

Of the hosts, were all trustworthy vaHant men. 

When the great grandson of the gentle Moabitess 

Ruth, the singer of the psalms of Israel, King 

Of Judah, turn'd his face to th' wall his soul return'd 

To God, his youngest son, Bathsheba's child, inherited 

Not only all the kingdom but the rod of Aaron. 

So well did Solomon wield this rod that far and wide 

His reputation as a sage was spread, and Sheba's 

Queen from Egypt journeyed his advice to ask. 

Rich gifts she brought to him, and wonder'd at his treasures. 

Though in extent his kingdom greatly was reduced 

He richer grew, rare woods, rich colors, spices, gold 

And silver shower'd were on Solomon. 

As in very early days Gudea, priest-king 

Of Sirgulla, to Lebanon sent for cedars, so now 

These priceless trees desiring for the building of 

Th' temple, Solomon asked them of Hiram, king 

Of Tyre, who aided him in every way. This temple 

Was seven years in building. Syrian in design 



94 The Child of the Nation 

And very rich in ornamentation was this house 

Which Solomon dedicated to God with song and prayer. 

To Israel's children very dear this temple was. 

But with all his wisdom, Solomon altars built 

To strange gods to please his many wives: to Ashtoreth, 

Goddess of th' Zidonians, Chemosh, Moabite god, 

To Milcom and to Baal, which so displeased Israel's 

God that Solomon's kingdom He divided and only 

Two tribes gave to Rehoboam, in whose reign 

Jerusalem was sacked, its palace and temple treasures 

Carried into Egypt were by Pharoah Shishak, 

Th' ten tribes now to Jeroboam of Zereda 

Given, whose father Nebat, one of Solomon's servants 

Was. Yet Jeroboam and his sons were so 

Displeasing to the Lord that soon we find in Israel 

Kings enthron'd by mihtary despotism. 

With Omri, able general, who Samaria builded. 

Arose a new dynasty. His son, Ahab, influenc'd by 

Th' wicked Jezebel of Tyre, the worship of Baal 

Introduc'd, whose prophets manifold and those 

Of Ishtar were at the royal table fed, while prophets 

Of Jehovah hid in dens and caves; until 

Elijah th' Tishbite, living with a widow in 

Th' village of Sarepta, near to Sidon, rebuked 

Ahab and a mighty miracle on Mount Carmel 

Wrought; then fearlessly bade the people slay the prophets 

False of Baal. On Horeb in his lonely hours 

Elijah found that inner chamber where the voice 

Of God is heard. On leaving this world Elijah bade 

Elisha, whom for his successor he had chosen. 



Persia 95 

Make a request. A double portion of the prophet's 

Spirit was what EKsha ask'd and gained; for 

EKjah bestow'd on his disciple th' mantle which 

Was Aaron's rod.' Elisha many marvellous things 

With it perform'd, and to poHtical as well 

As spiritual power attained. Knowing that the house 

Of Ahab would be destroyed, he appointed Jehu 

Of Ramoth-Gilead king. The Baal- worshippers then 

He strategically slew, yet allow'd th' golden 

Calves of Bethel and of Dan to remain. Throughout 

Jehu's reign and that of many generations 

Succeeding, th' struggle of Israel with Damascus continu'd 

To be a losing one. Th' Assyrian conquest of 

Th' Aramaean kingdom brought relief to Israel 

And to Judah. Then ensued civil strife. 

During these times of dissension Judith* of 

Bethuha, by her great beauty and deep strategy, 

Secur'd and bore within her bag of meat the head 

Of Holof ernes, captain chief of th' Assyrian host. 

For which brave deed both priest and people sang her praise. 

Ahaz, king of Judah, to Tiglathpileser Third 

Appeal'd for help, though by Isaiah warn'd that ruin 

Would come. This was that Isaiah, son of Amos, 

Who the shadow on the sun-dial made go back 

Ten degrees. When this was noised abroad, and also 

Hezekiah's wonderful recovery, priceless 

Gifts to Jerusalem were sent. Then Hezekiah 

Ostentatiously display'd th' royal treasures 

To ambassadors from Babylon. Now Isaiah 

Prophesied that not only these treasures 



96 The Child of the Nations 

But the people also would to Babylon be carried 

Captive. Just a little while it was until 

Hezekiah dearly paid for heeding not 

Th' prophet's voice; for th' destruction of Samaria 

Begun by Shalmaneser was by Sargon th' Later 

Complet'd, and Israel carried into Babylon. Sargon 

Also captur'd Gaza and Ashdod, and took 

Th' Philistines to his realm. His greatest conflict was 

With th' Chaldeans, a people lately risen to power 

In southern Babylonia. But Judah was not 

Devastated or th' Chaldean monarch expelled 

From Babylon 'til his son Sennacherib's day. 

After the murder of Sennacherib by his sons, 

And before the rebuilding of the city by 

Esar-Haddon it was, that Tobit who dwelt an exile 

At Nineveh, sent his son to Rages, guided by 

A holy angel Raphael, one of th' seven who 

Th' prayers and praises of the saints to God present.^ 

For the young Tobias, Raphael found a wife 

Fair and rich, his cousin Sara, daughter of Raguel 

Of Ecbatana; also Raphael taught Tobias 

How to heal his father's blindness, who, so grateful 

That his eyesight was restored, wrote a prayer 

Of rejoicing, telling of Jerusalem 

The city Over There, whose streets are paved with gold. 

Tobit prophesied Nineveh's destruction 

Which happened in Tobias' lifetime, though his father's 

Instruction following, to Medea he had moved. 

On the ruins of Assyria arose the new 

Chaldean monarchy. The fate that renowned Jonah, 



ersia 



97 



Priest of th' famous fish-cult, hesitat'd to tell 

For Nineveh so long ago, had overtaken 

Her. When Nabopolassar join'd th' Medes besieging 

Shur's ancient capitol, Nineveh was raz'd 

To th' ground, and th' wonderful library of Assurbanipal 

Was buried, that future generations might not only 

Read of th' last of th' Sargonids (a fierce and merciless 

Warrior, who was educated in all the arts 

And sciences of Babylon) but through these clay tablets 

Learn the culture of the people. 

Necho, son of Pharaoh Psammet, during th' siege 

Of Nineveh advanc'd against Carchemish where 

He was defeat'd by th' young prince Nebuchadnezzar, who 

Had alHed himself to Medea by marrying princess 

Amytis. She car'd not for th' mighty walls of Babylon 

Built by semi-mythic Semiramis, when from Tartar 

Hands the rich plain first was wrest'd nor did she care 

For military prowess as that Amazonian 

Semiramis reigning in a later day, to whom 

The credit of the walls is sometimes given. Though 

With richest stuff from Lydia and from Egypt and 

Many golden candlesticks and vessels from 

Jerusalem her palace crowded was, yet Amytis 

Was sad. She sighed for her mountain home. To please 

This creature of the woods and hills the king had built 

A mount and thereon hanging gardens, which were long 

Accounted one of the seven wonders of the world. 

Many and magnificient the structures Nebuchadnezzar 

Gave to Babylon. In his reign Jerusalem 

Was besieged, for it had revolt'd despite 



98 The Child of the Nations 

Jeremiah's warning, who predicted captivity 

On account of their sins, yet taught that children need 

Not suffer for the sins of fathers, but be rewarded 

Every one according to the fruits of his 

Doings. Jeremiah used an almond rod 

For divining, which was not so powerful as 

Th' apple rod that came from Eden; but that one 

Daniel had to Babylon carried, where he sat 

In the king's gate as Mordecai in earlier 

Days had done, whose brave niece Esther pleas'd th' king 

Ahasuerus and outwitted wicked Haman. 

With Daniel were three other noble youths who in 

Th' king's palace stood. The golden image refusing 

To worship, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego 

Were thrown into a fiery furnace, but protected 

By an angel they came forth unharm'd. Th' mighty 

Michael, prince of all the Hebrew people, spake 

To Daniel; and the great archangel Gabriel guided 

Him; so many things he prophesied that came 

To pass: the death of King Belshazzar, and the coming 

Of Cyrus, prince of Ausan, king of Persia, who 

Had overthrown th' Medean empire, and the beautiful 

Capitol of Lydia taken. Croesus, son 

Of Alyattes, at whose court wise Solon feasted, 

And the cripple .iEsop moral fables told. 

Had allied himself to Nabonid of Babylon. 

So though meriting punishment Cyrus pardon'd him 

As at a later day he Nabonid forgave. 

On entering Babylon Cyrus peace to all proclaimed. 

Sympathetic with their many religious cults 



ersia 



99 



He much praise to Marduk gave, yet favor'd Ormuzd 
As portray'd by Zoroaster the Iranian 
Reformer, who another form of phalHc worship 
Taught in fire dimension which is nine, and nine 
Th' measure is of man,^" as Ezekiel versed in 
KabbaHstic lore, in mystic language tells, 
When he had seen the chariot wheels in his own temple. 
And learn'd to go without, and browse within the courts. 
But even more than to his rehgious Hberality 
Cyrus' fame was owing to the edict which 
Gave the Jews their freedom; yet not all return'd 
To Palestine; a century later we hear of Ezra 
Th' scribe, and Nehemiah cupbearer to Artaxerxes 
Going to Jerusalem to assist in rebuilding 
Th' temple and repairing of the city walls. 
It was in this day Zechariah, son of Iddo 
Th' prophet, urg'd th' spiritual restoration of Zion. 
He in vision saw the seven-flamed lamp^^ 
Whose oil feeds myriad lesser lights. 
From the river Indus to th' .^gean Sea, 
From the Jaxartes to the land of th' pharoahs, Cyrus' 
Empire vast extend'd. His son Cambyses dethron'd 
Amasis in an Egyptian expedition, and would 
Have reigned over th' largest empire on earth had not 
An accident shorten'd his life. Under Darius who now 
Was chosen king, the empire was organized anew. 
Desiring to be master of the world, Darius 
Sent his armies not only eastward to the Indus, 
And northward to th' Caucasian country, but tried to 
conquer 



The Child of the Nations 



Greece. Mardonius his ablest general with 

A host of long-hair'd Medes landed on the coast 

Of Attica, where they signally were defeat'd by brave 

Skillful Miltiades who a chosen few, 

Th' flower of Athens, led to battle. Still the Persian's 

Grave is seen upon the plains of Marathon. 

Next at Salamis Xerxes' ships a sad fate met, 

While he sat by and wept. In Susa's palace Queen 

Atossa saw Darius' ghost, which said to her, 

"My son defeated is by great Themistocles." 

After this the Persians thought no more of conquering 

Greece, but half a century later ask'd from Hellas 

Help. Then Xenophon with ten thousand sturdy men 

Aid to Cyrus Younger lent; returning after 

Countless hardships found the gates of Sparta closed. 

Th' battles of Issus and Gaugamela decided 

Persia's fate when Alexander th' Great the power 

Of the third Darius overthrew. Then began 

A second era of civilization for Persia under 

Th' rule of th' Seleucidae, when the customs and culture 

Of the Greeks were introduced. 

Once again in Persia power arose. The brave 

Sassanides disput'd th' east with Rome for four 

Centuries. But th' victorious career of Sapor 

Second, king of this new dynasty was by th' rising 

Power of Palmyra checked. Here in the old 

Tadmor of the desert Odenathus reigned, 

And after him his brilliant, beautiful wife Zenobia, 

Who later recklessly fought Aurelian, and was taken 

Captive to Rome in chains of gold. 



ersia 



Subtly Hellenic and Hebraic influences 

Met and mixed in Syria and in Asia Minor, 

Where Seleucus and Antiochus made the Jews 

Ever welcome. But th' Judean state had fallen 

Into sad corruption; high priests now were secular 

Princes, finally chiefs of marauding bands of whom 

Judas Maccabasus most noted was; yet even 

Now from Pontus Mithradates was driven while 

All of Asia Minor to Rome submitted. Finally 

Under Pompey, Syria was reduced to a province 

Of the empire, and th' Hasmonean monarchy was 

Forever extinguished. High priests tributary vassals 

To Rome became. Idumean Antipater ruled. 

Whose son Herod, tetrarch of Judea, rebuilt 

Th' temple and adorned Jerusalem, which pleased 

Th' Romans so they overlooked his many hideous 

Crimes. He died four years before th' estabhshed Christian 

Era, which was th' same year Jesus Christ was born. 

After this Judea was to th' prefecture 

Of Syria join'd, and ruled by the Roman governors. 

Pontius Pilate, at whose hands the Lord Jesus 

Suffer'd, weak was, not wick'd, only an instrument in 

Th' hands of Providence to hasten th' end of that 

Life on earth, which for all time will be an example. 



CANTO VI 
Japan 

Th' Son of Righteousness, whose goings forth from of old have 
been, as Micah saith, whom Malachi with healing wings 
did see. 

Not only rose in Palestine, and left warm tints of afterglow 
athwart the western sky, but in the far, far East 

Ariseth, where the isles already gifts to Him are bringing, whose 
glory th^ earth shall cover as the waters cover th' sea. 

Even now the light of Bethlehem commingles 
With the light of earlier days in Shinkoku. 
In this Meigi period Japan's thinking man 
Embraces Christianity as he welcomes science, 
Political theories, social reform and industries 
Of the western world; yet with terrific tenacity 
Holds to ancient creeds, as he has always held 
To belief in an unbroken line of sovereignty. 
Yesterday's revolution was an earthquake almost 
Destroying old picturesque Japan. The pent-up life 
Of the race in centuries long of isolation. 
Of such silent preparation, was the ebb 
Of a tidal wave. And just as that grand man 
Hamaguchi,^ residing on the heights, the waters 
Saw receding, knowing what the flood would bring, 
Burnt his rice the village folk to save; so in 
This latter day the Samurai gives up his swords; 
The hereditary princes of Satsumi, 



Japan 



103 



Choshi and Hizen, resign their fiefs to th' crown, 

Hoping to break the power of the Shoguns, their 

Enemies since the day of Jeyasu, diplomat 

Unsurpass'd, who set aside the youthful sons 

Of Hideyoshi, councillor great, then quell'd the turbulent 

Daimyos, compelling them to live at Yeddo. 

Since Yoritomo overthrew the Tairo clan 

Six hundred years ago at Kawakura, estabhshing 

Mihtary rule which only a nominal strength 

Left to th' sovereign, virtually had the land been rul'd 

By the Shogunate, which now yields to foreign powers, 

Giving them an open door at Yokohama. 

Th' court at first oppos'd to western ways, pollution 

Fearing for Yamato's land, abolish'd th' Shoguns 

With a weapon by Prince Mito forged, pohshed 

By Motoori, and enlarged by Hirata. 

Then standing on the heights the statesmen call the people 

To come up! And culture, long the sole possession 

Of the court, is rapidly being democratized; 

Literature no longer left to women, though 

Morasaki, creator of prose epic in 

Japan, has to the Fugiwara family lustre 

Given, while Seishonagon's lengthy "Pillow Sketches" 

Are remember'd. Lyrics of the Heian age 

Are read, and Hitomaru call'd a god. Still reverenc'd 

Th' Kojiki, for does it not declare their land 

To be of origin divine, their Mikados 

All of heavenly birth! Yet press and public school, 

Philosophy and psychology are to-day far greater 

Factors in the life of every Japanese 



I04 The Child of the Nations 

Than even that colossal Buddha erected by 
Th' efforts of the Empress Glorious, Komio, Spouse 
Of Shomu, who when offering flowers to Buddha feared 
To pluck them lest her hands the blossoms might defile;^ 
Or Ise's sacred temples with their wealth of Shinto 
Liturgies publish'd by the Empress Gensho, Jito's 
Daughter, who the court at Nara fixed, and there 
Preserv'd th' code of laws and old traditions by 
Tennu, her noble spouse, collect'd. Yet to her past 
Japan is loyal, loyal to her present, and 
Loyal to her belief in a future life. On China's 
Laws and India's sacred lore she has been fed, 
And woven the richest of each into her native faith, 
"Th' Way of th' Gods," preserving all that makes for bet- 
terment. 
Other nations have had light that comes through avenues 
Of the soul, have known how to lift the veil between 
Th' seen and unseen, yet have not given freely of 
This knowledge to the world. In India it was only 
For a chosen few, and hence her light is waning, 
Her civilization fast becoming but an ornament 
Upon the English life. A heritage rich has China 
But too carefully husband 'd; she has been forgetful 
Of hospitality, a virtue none must overlook; 
She has shut her doors when feasting. So to-day 
Th' father and the elder brother to the younger 
Son are giving place; the robe and ring are his 
Already; even now the feast for him is laid. 
Of the nations three, set apart to bring the psychic 
Wave to earth, the Japanese are in advance. 



t 



Japan 105 

From of old it has been so: not Cain the outcast, 

Not Abel whose gift was preferr'd, but Seth, the third 

Son, was chosen; Shem's nor Ham's but Japheth's children 

Have the richest dower; Issac, son of promise. 

Was a younger brother; he unwittingly blessed 

Jacob, who in turn preferred Joseph, and 

Exalted Manasseh. As with th' children so it is 

With the nations of the world. The last shall be 

First. The race is very young now ruling Yamato's 

Land, whose rude rock caverns ages older are 

Than the fall of Sasanoo, whose sacred Fugi, 

Mighty mount of Daisen, rais'd its snowy cone 

Long before e'en Izanagi cross'd th' floating 

Bridge, before those fourteen chieftains slew the spider 

Men, who dwelt beneath the ground in Izumo, 

A remnant of which race we find in men call'd Ainos. 

Th' younger son a mixture of Malaysian is 

With Mongol. Coming from Korean land, led by 

Jimmu Tenno, he firm possession of these rich 

Isles has taken. Jimmu (as all emperors since 

His day) traced descent from Mingi-no-Mikoto, 

Grandson of the goddess of the sun, the beauteous 

Amaterasu-0-Mi-Kami, whose sword the dark 

Dispels, whose mirror life reflects, whose jewel rests 

Within the heart of every loyal one. Goddess 

Of miraculous birth, from Izanagi's eye 

Produc'd in Izumo, fair province of the gods, 

Mother to be of mighty kings, Mikados all 

To thee their lineage trace, to thee their high descent 

Ascribe. For ages thou didst hide in caverns of 



io6 The Child of the Nations 

Th' sea, whence woo'd by myriad gods with song and dance 

To gladden heart of fair Yamato's race, thy rays 

From ocean depths came forth, and shone on great Nippon; 

With ropes of rice-straw wast thou bound to hold thee fast 

To Shinkoku. Thou Kwannon art of thousand hands, 

Who on the lily stand' st refusing rest of heaven 

To aid the souls of men. Amida Buddha thou; 

Gyogi recogniz'd thy light as one in all. 

When on the seventh night of vigil to him thou spakest. 

Behind the orb of day thou peepest forth thy work 

To do, illuming lands made ready for thy light. 

Thy robes of variant hue o'er earth are spread. The dawn 

Is seen in cherry blossom petals in Japan. 

Thou new aurora of the eastern seas, your blossoms 

Scatter o'er a smiling land, and laugh and shout. 

Yea, cry aloud, ye sons of Izumo! The sun 

Which for centuries Japan has worshipp'd, will 

Soon be up; and not as horse or bull or lion 

Will she appear, but as a serpent spreading o'er 

Th' sky a roseate hue; then setting on the earth 

Its tail, its head will swallow all the little snakes 

(Small pretensions to the psychic truth magicians 

Make), as Aaron's rod of old.^ 

Has the youngest child of th' yellow-skinned race 

Found the charmed rod that blossoms for the one 

Who knows its use? It need not be of apple tree 

Or almond,* such as Israel's prophets potent found; 

Cherry tree magnetic is. Its blood-ting'd blooms 

Speak of war; its juicy fruit of intellectual 

Life; its wood that easily yields to artist's hands 



Japan 



107 



Typical is of this small nut-brown race who practice 

Jiu-jitsu so well, with serpent-like guile, the power 

Of non-resistance knowing. Yet her fighters vahant 

Are, believing they are guard'd by heroes who 

Have passed beyond. They fight, and fear not, knowing 

death 
Is not dark, and that a Hfe more beautiful lies 
Just Over There. The Japanese are not afraid 
To let the world know what they beheve. Did not their 

Admiral 
Togo thank the deva-Rishi for his glorious 
Victory, when by might of right Yamato's sons 
Drove the larger, stronger forces of the Russians 
From Korea, which land China had so lately 
Ceded to them after a fair fight? And was not 
Korea Japan's territory by right, since Jingo, 
Widow of Chuai, bravely fought Formosa 
Folk and left her son a heritage? Great-grandson 
Of Yamato-dake, subduer of the Ainos, 
Ojin was, and after reigning forty years 
Th' title gain'd of God of War. 
Hidegoshi contemplated conquering China 
When Korea he had taken; but later rulers 
With th' peninsula were satisfied, until 
Rehgious differences — so often cause of war — 
Made th' Conservatives in Korea aid of China 
Ask. Now young Japan herself expressed, and 
Gain'd Port Arthur. Then the Slavic bear crept in. 
And China welcom'd him. But greed, in brutes, exceeds 
Diplomacy: Russia violated agreements 



io8 The Child of the Nations 

With the powers, and sent her troops into Manchuria 
To protect her interests there. But lion-hearted 
Kuroki and brave Oku and Nodzu drove 
Th' Russian army back to boundary line with loss 
Of thousands upon thousands of the Slavs and very 
Few of Japanese; while Togo kept the Russian 
Fleet confin'd in harbor, aided by Marconi's 
Wonderfiil invention. Even more than in 
Rapidity of fire or marksmanship, superior 
Mobility marks the Japanese. 
And is it not significant that both Russia and 
Japan should come to these United States to settle 
Their dispute, which has resiilted in making Japan 
Th' dominant power in the East? 
They are very young, these children of the Orient 
Isles, and use their fists as children will; but they 
Are running fast, and soon will overtake, yea, pass. 
Their elder brothers on the way. They know the power 
Of non-resistance. Using th' subtle method of 
Jiu-jitsu not to fight for rights o'er here they come. 
But just slip in. Yes, e'en to-day are many sons 
From Yamato's race of Aryan parents born 
On American soil. They come because rebirth 
They understand; for just as individuals pass 
And repass from one body to another,^ nations 
Places change. It is decreed that th' yellow-skins 
Shall one day the western hemisphere inherit. 
Now they come to families that know them not. 
But that will educate them, and property leave to 
them. 



Japan 109 

Then more will come. We know them by their eyes, their 

smiles, 
Their silent, winsome ways, their knowledge of the art 
Of living, which, as Soshi says, lies not in criticism 
Or antagonism, but in gliding into spaces 
That do everywhere exist. 

Their serpent lies not prostrate on the ground, nor swallows 
Its tail as if afraid to leave its mouth unguard'd; 
It curls not up, and sleeps beneath the grass; but on 
Th' path it coils quite ready for the charge — that serpent 
Which so long has crawled, mindful of the curse 
That put it on its belly, but forgetful of 
Th' cross that, even in the wilderness, raised it 
To higher, nobler uses. Japan's serpent head 
Is up; her wisdom not secreted, wide she opes 
Th' door, and lets the sunshine in that all the world 
May know her goddess. Fast, so fast, she is acquiring 
Th' knowledge of the new, and adding it to th' knowledge 
Of the past; nor letting go of truths she long 
Has held, and seen to be as pearls. 



CANTO VII 
Greece 

In other isles, in earlier days, the sun in female form, with 
shears as symbol of creative power, worshipp'd was; 

Phcebe rul'd as light primeval 'til the Dark brought forth the 
Delian twins, when she resigned the Delphic shrine to 
Phoebus. 

Then fecund feminine force in brain of Zeus produced th' 
virile maid Athene, whose pole for ages ruVd Hellenic men. 

Very old the fruitful plains of Attica by 
Natural bulwarks bounded, warding off the sea, 
Through great travail produced, fertile made by much 
Fire. For even now the close observer sees 
Th' form of two gigantic extinct craters between 
Which majestically rises the acropolis. 
Gone their fires, no streams of boiling water issue 
From the rocks, Hygeia's wells are dry. The soil 
Yet is Hght and fruitful; but the lava which 
Mother'd forests is to ashes turn'd; the trees 
Have to earth gone back; the rocks alone remain 
Much the same for ages, yet have broken, crumbled, 
Fallen, singing as they fall. The hills made low. 
On the glist'ning quarries of Pentelicon, or 
O'er the purple slopes of huge Hymettus gazing, 
Where rich store of sweets the bee still finds, we know 
That they too, in time, when inward fires are kindled, 
Lava will send forth, to first destroy and then 

no 



Greece m 

Enrich these plains time-honor'd. Yes, though silent now 

These great sentinels shall send forth their fire by night, 

And cloud by day, until they too shall be brought low. 

Then the sea, long at bay, shall sweep at will 

O'er Athene's olive trees. But ere that rock, 

Fam'd so long in legend and historic page. 

Be splinter'd at its summit, we would trace the record 

Left by all who here have lived. 

First the Titans, children of the earth and heaven, 

Well named, having elsewhere had beginning, brought 

Enough of force to clothe their souls with elements found 

Here. Our mother Rhea garments rich provided 

For this heaven-sprung race who worshipp'd God the 

Father, 
Yet builded fanes to honor her who brought them forth. 
Cea, celestial mother of the Titan gods. 
Though your temple now is hid from view, on it 
Rests the only perfect building in this world, 
Which the firmer stands because that yours was builded 
Well by loving hearts and willing hands, made strong 
Through firm faith in you and all that you had taught. 
Without reward your sons and daughters labor'd, this 
Part of earth to make a dwelling fit for all. 
What if Asteria turned to meteoric rock — 
Had you not Titan sons: Antyos,^ strong of limb; 
And Helios, bright one like the sun; yea, grandsons too 
Of whom you could be proud? Prometheus, overwlse, 
Wasted heavenly fire; Oceanus, so learn'd 
In laws that govern water ways, was father called 
Of all fresh water streams; while sages and poets in 



112 The Child of the Nations 

Later days ascrib'd the source of life to him, 

Dimly apprehending that of elements needed 

For sustenance of the vital frame the first is water. 

Hyperion, whose golden hair and visage bright 

Won for him the name of Sun, outshone his father 

Helios. Themis, just of soul, and Thia devout, 

Tethys,^ fruitful vine, and many more whose names 

Here are not record'd for generations lived 

In sweet accord, and made the golden age of Greece. 

Few and rare the monuments to prove that they 

E'er lived; for when the streaming, groaning mounts their last 

Lava streams sent forth, and giant craters sunk, 

Th' Attic Titan age was over. 

Mother Earth had other children rear'd in other 

Lands; so, when the time was ripe, a remnant of 

Another race from out the north came here, who thought 

Themselves the first. The Cronids erstwhile were a cruel, 

Savage tribe; yet even they were worshipp'd once. 

So prone is man to magnify the merits of 

Th' dead. These Cronids dying left no lasting monuments. 

Before the flood o'er Asia's shore extended, when 

Peleg was divid'd,^ one portion of that warlike 

Race to farthest west did march, and came to Greece; 

Routed all that yet remain'd of Cronids. These 

Semitic peoples left a record on the rocks 

Which is ofttimes deem'd th' first in lore historic.^ 

We fain would praise them more, had not the giants that 

Succeeded them thrown down their temples, and with mighty 

Rocks cut from Hephaestus store built walls and castles, 

Covering all Pelasgic art had left. They stand 



Greece 



113 



To-day on Attic plains, in Pelops' isle and on 

Asia's shore, to tell the tale that men had far 

Outgrown the natural frame allotted them. To us 

Cyclopean signifies the massive and 

Th' strong, but speaks no word of beauty or of grace, 

Cyclops giants work'd for ages; yet no written 

Page they left to tell from whence they came or who 

They were; so those coming later, at their deeds 

Marvelling, oft imputed to them even natural 

Wonders, vomiting of huge rocks from mountain tops. 

Earthquakes, noises made by subterranean fires. 

And gas. Rich knowledge of the use of fire they surely 

Had; the Cyclops metal forgers were, as well 

As builders of strong walls of sun-dried brick and hugest 

Rocks; yet they in turn were conquer 'd, not by men 

Of larger limb, but by ones with stronger nerve and brain, 

Who came across the great blue sea from out of Libya's 

Land. Well arm'd were Cecrops and his men. The Cyclops 

Fell before superior skill; while fair Cecropia, 

Built by dext'rous hands, soon grac'd th' rocks where Titan 

Temples long had stood. The Cyclopean walls. 

Thought this Libyan king, were well enough; on them 

His palace rose,^ a stately edifice facing th' southern 

Sun, and looking towards th' temple of the mother 

Of the gods, which soon was builded o'er with marble 

White, and nam'd for Egypt's virgin goddess Neith. 

She it was who long would rule the Attic plain. 

Statues of Neith, and many priestesses with waving 

Hair and rich embroider'd robes, were brought to deck 

Cecrops' palace halls, where pillars rare of basalt 



114 The Child of the Nations 

Stood, as pedestals for gaily painted maids, 

Around the court. A winding staircase under ground 

Led to grotto of old Pan, where Cecrops' daughters 

Danc'd, and music made to charm the gods, who were 

Pleas'd no doubt, with music, dance, and prayers, yet 

All the temples ever built, and all the prayers 

E'er pray'd, stay not the shafts of death's relentless hand, 

Which on Cecrops and his tribe too soon perchance 

Fell; and strangers worshipp'd in his temple rare. 

In other parts of Greece grew citadels less fair 

Than that on Astu's rock, yet strong; and many heroes. 

Good and brave, fought beasts and beastlike men with valiant 

Might, to rid their land of monsters. 

Alcmene's warlike son, bred in ^olian Thebes, 

Where Phoenician Cadmus wiser than the Sparti 

Of Boeotian plains, by music-loving Amphion 

Aided, builded well a walled city called 

Cadmeia for himself — ^here Herakles the brave. 

Long enduring, hardiest of many vigorous 

Sons of Greece, grew strong through suff'ring; then when 

freed 
From arduous labors he to Elis came, in Phrygian 
Pelops' day, and on far-fam'd Olympia's plain 
Gained lasting bays; nor for himself sought praise. 
But to father Zeus a monument rais'd who erstime 
Sire of Herakles was called. 

Zeus had long time worshipp'd been where oaks Thesprotian 
Were thought to wave articulate sounds, whence with her 

doves 
And serpentine divining rod, Dodona, priestess 



Greece 115 

Egyptian beautiful, declar'd the portent of 

The signs, and made a name that even Pythia failed 

To take away, great sibyl of a later day. 

Yet to Argive Zeus was precedence 'stablish'd firm 

By mighty Herakles, who knew the love men bear 

Sports and glory gained from prowess. 

Other sons had Zeus, who sang his praise in different 

Ways. Cadmeian Thebes besides strong Herakles 

Boasts of Semele's great son Dionysus, 

Who planted first the vine on Hellas' shore, which here 

Grows more perfectly than elsewhere; still in grapes 

And grape leaves is wreath'd th' head of Semele's 

Son, and ivy vine which shelter'd him when born. 

Praises still to him are sung by bards in many 

Lands for inspiration as the bowl o'erflows 

Its purple juice, while many theatres on Grecian 

Hills attest the power he wield'd o'er the stage. 

Heaven-born, O Bacchus, is thy genius, e'en 

Though a mortal mother'd thee. Persephone oft 

Call'd thy sister, goddess fair in bud and blossom 

Worshipp'd, mourned in winter, welcomed in the spring, 

Daughter of Demeter, Mother of Agriculture — 

Child of Zeus and bride of Hades, well may she 

Share they meed of praise; and as 'tis meet, O loved 

Bacchus, through our tears we worship thee when climbing 

O'er the steps of that great temple justly famed. 

Where Demeter's gift to Grecian men and thine 

Were together solemnized.^ 

From the Colchian realm rich cargo Jason brought 

To Greece, in what to us seems early days; Medea 



ii6 The Child of the Nations 

Was his greatest prize; by those who envied her 

Costly robes barbaric princess called. She 

Taught Thessalian women how to cook; she boiled 

A ram with certain herbs that made it seem like lamb. 

Pelias' dull daughters thus persuad'd that 

Their father would be young if cooked, stewed him 

In Medea's pot, nor knew that life could never 

Be restor'd by fire. Alcestis who would not 

Lend her hand to such a deed, was by her sisters 

Hated, and driven to wed that odious king Admetos, 

Whose love of life led him to sacrifice his yielding 

Consort rather than to Hades go himself. 

One redeeming trait had this most selfish prince. 

Welcome wide to guests, which one day made him happy 

Host when iEsculapius chanced that way, no doubt 

Sent in answer to the prayers for Alcestis, 

Self-devoted wife, who willingly resigned her 

Life to save her spouse;^ yet was restor'd by love 

Divine. Apollo's son, with strength of Herakles, 

Wrestled with the powers of death, and gave unto 

Th' king, his host, his bride again. Alcestis then 

So lately from the tomb restored, mourned greatly 

For her father. Soon Thessalian maids and matrons 

All made life a sad thing for Medea, until 

To Corinth she was glad to go, not knowing that 

Glauke fair would there take comely Jason from 

Her side; yet, knowing his unfaithfulness, the while 

Feigned ignorance, and in her heart did rancor 

Nurse, which she so justly felt towards him she long 

Had serv'd and trust'd. To grace erstwhile the bride, Medea 



Greece 117 

Sent a robe of cloth of gold which unsuspecting 

Glauke donned delighted with the shimm'ring thing. 

Trying to quench the flames contain'd within that 

Poison'd gown, the king's fair child was drowned.^ Then 

Wise Medea fled from angry Corinth, and 

Drove her chariot to old ^geus' palace; whom 

By her wiles she soon subdu'd, and ruled th' Attic 

King the better that she still lov'd perfidious Jason. 

So insatiate was her love of brewing poison 

That this Colchian princess would have ended th' Pandion 

Line of Attic kings, and placed her son Perses 

On the throne. But otherwise rul'd th' gods and ^Egeus' 

Dulled senses quickened, so he knew his sword; 

Hence the poison'd cup he spilled, that his son 

Sprung from ^Ethra might not be cut off from life 

As Medea plann'd. Then Theseus, who with mighty 

Valor rare strategic powers combined, th' hamlets 

Of these fruitful plains allied; nothing loath 

Cecropia's virgin goddess to adore, whose name 

Chang'd had been, for her his kingdom called Athene. 

By the Amazonian queen did Theseus gain 

Hippolytus, a son most beautiful, in mein 

Godlike; who the chase and woodland sports so loved, 

Artemis fair he kept enshrin'd within his heart. 

Nor ever thought to worship elsewhere. Aphrodite, 

Always jealous of the chaste, would punish one 

Who to her ne'er sacrific'd; so sent from Eros' 

Shaft a barb through Phaedra's heart, which made the 

queen 
Too eager for her step-son. Failing in her amorous 



ii8 The Child of the Nations 

Wiles, with passion mad and wound'd pride, she died 

By her own hand, accusing falsely Theseus' son. 

On Hippolytus, the chaste, the fair, his father 

Cruel curses heaped, and learn'd too late the truth. 

Not Attica alone but Troezen, Argos and 

Mycen£e mourned the untimely death of this 

Much-beloved Amazon's son.® 

Theseus then with grief and shame nigh craz'd, yet with 

Hot blood unsubdu'd, no more to emulate 

Th' Theban Herakles and rid his land of monsters 

Caring, seized th' fair young daughter of Tyndareus 

Of godlike beauty; fled with her to Libya's shore. 

Where alone he left his Helen, ^° as in earlier 

Days he had abandon 'd lovely Ariadne 

On the Naxion isle. By her twin brothers rescu'd 

Helen was borne back to Pelops' land, where long-hair'd 

Menelaus made her Sparta's queen and worshipp'd 

Her immortal beauty, nor knew how faithless would 

She prove. By Aphrodite aided Paris, Dardan 

Prince, persuaded Menelaus' wife to fly. 

Sailed with her to Troy; hence indignation righteous 

Fill'd th' breast of every Grecian chieftain that 

From their land by guest perfidious a queen should be 

Decoy 'd. To arms they call'd their choicest youth; then 

sailed 
To Mysia's shore with every ship by flower of Greece 
Mann'd, determin'd Helen to bring back with all 
Th' treasure Paris stole, or raze the walls of Priam's 
Town, where Dorian Greeks, Apollo's special care, 
Shelter'd Sparta's beauteous queen. 



G 



reece 



119 



This internecine feud became a war of gods 

As well as men; for many valiant heroes counted 

Lineage from Zeus; while some for Helen claim 'd 

Descent from heaven; sprung from Perseus was she not 

Whom all Hellas loved? Offspring of Danae 

And the golden shower he so beauteous, so 

Bright, had god-descended shown himself in mighty 

Deeds, whose number grew in later days, so much 

Did Greece desire to honor Helios-like Perseus. 

Though her beauty from her lineage high did Helen 

Erst derive, yet she of frailties had so large 

A share her visage was a torment to her soul. 

While she to Hellas was a scourge. 

Rous'd from lethargy and luxury by their anger. 

That a Trojan prince should dare so basely use 

Sparta's hospitahty, not alone youthful 

Men for battle strong, but aged seers long past 

Their prime lent aid to valiant Menelaus. Atrides, 

Call'd king of men because his frame was larger 

Than his race in days when many men were large, 

Became their leader; having brought a hundred ships 

Yet in arrogance exceeding what was kingly, 

Anger 'd Peleus' son, who of all the chiefs was heartiest 

In the fight, though unforgiving in his heart; 

Thence Achilles pray'd his goddess mother his wrongs 

Avenge. His prayer lovely Thetis heard, from ocean's 

Waves arose, and swiftly sped to high Olympus, 

Zeus' aid to ask. The cloud compeller gave 

His assenting nod, at which Olympus trembles. 

Satisfied her suit was granted, silver-footed 



I20 The Child of the Nations 

Thetis to the sea returned, while Cronion 

Always true to his nod, deluding visions sent 

To Agamemnon's tent; who, guided by this dream. 

Rather than by judgment or advice of sage 

Nestor or the wily Odysseus, again 

Waged war; and gods with men and men with gods 

Fought and many valiant heroes gave up life. 

Immortal gods who could not die were wounded. E'en 

Laughter-loving Aphrodite wept when Diomed 

Pierced her ambrosial veil, and Iris carried 

Love's goddess to her home in heaven; while 

Apollo bore ^neas from the tumult, and 

Took himself the form of man to aid the Dardans; 

Called on Ares, blood-stained lord, to take Tydides 

From the field; but he, of all the Greeks the bravest. 

Whose sire gave his life at Thebes, who himself 

For the seven-gated city fought, now aided 

By Pallas blue-ey'd maid, arrayed for the fray 

In veil of airy texture work of her own hands, 

Th' tassel'd aegis round her shoulders whereon was 

Monstrous gorgon's head, and on her brow a golden 

Helmet, in her hand a mighty spear — to fight 

Ares feared not. When Pallas call'd th' son 

Of Tydeus dearest to her soiil of all the Greeks, 

In his breast such courage she instilled that 

Thrusting forth his long and mighty spear, Tydides 

Wounded Ares 'neath his low-girt belt; who cried 

So loud it were as if ten thousand men had shouted. 

Then with speed did Ares go to Zeus his father, 

Show'd his wound, and bitterly complain'd of Pallas. 



Greece 12: 

Cronion bade Apollo heal the wound, but said 

"Ares, 'tis from Hera you your love of strife 

And proud unbending mood inherit." Now while Ares 

Rested from his murd'rous course the field of battle 

Pallas left with Hera, and to Zeus' abode 

Came, where guarded are the gates of heaven by 

Th' Hours, where all the gods in gorgeous palaces in 

Th' deep recesses of Olympus dwell. Zeus, 

Abiding in his house of brass, Hephsestus' work, 

Victory wills to Troy, while all the gods repose 

But Discord, who upon the battle-field remains. 

Then those who to the Argives wish success indignant 

With Cronion grow for aiding Hector; yet none 

Save Queen Hera dares oppose the will of Zeus. 

Borrowing Aphrodite's belt, the queen beguiles 

Her lightning lord, who sheds a golden-colored cloud 

O'er Ida that the mystic rites of love he may 

Enjoy with ox-ey'd Hera. When by Sleep and Love 

The Sire subdued is, Poseidon, ocean king. 

Leads th' Grecian host in furious fight, while Priam's 

Son, the noble Hector of the glancing helm, 

Th' Trojan troops arrays against the great Earth-shaker, 

'Til Ajax hurls a pond'rous stone, and smites brave Hector. 

Then th' omniscient Zeus swift-footed Iris sends, 

Who like the wind descends to Ilion's sacred heights. 

Mandate to the Earth-encircler gives that he 

Shall quit the field of battle. Now the dark-haired god 

Of ocean declares himself the equal born of Zeus, 

Stating how old Cronus' kingdom was divided: 

"To Hades, realm of darkness; sky and cloud to Zeus; 



122 



The Child of the X at ions 



The hoary sea assigned to me; but earth and high 

Olympus are to all a common heritage." 

The rainbow goddess by soft speech, Poseidon did 

Assuage; yet ere he sunk beneatli the waves sends word 

To Zeus that their fraternal feud can ne'er be healed 

Should great Ilion's towers be saved. 

Wliile warrior Greeks deplore Poseidon's loss, Cronion 

Bids ApoUo wave on liigh the tassell'd tegis 

To daunt tlie Greeks, and also give his special care 

To godlike Hector. Gladly the behest of Zeus 

Phcebus of the golden sword fulfills, delighted, 

The guardian god of Troy, to shield brave Hector. Before 

Th' dazzling tassels quaii'd tli' spirit of th' Greeks; 

Their weU-wrought wall Apollo easily broke, and bridg'd 

A way for Trojans o'er tlie ditch. 

Beside their ships now standing all hemmed in, witli arms 

Outstretch'd to every god each chief uphfted prayers. 

Nestor, mighty soul'd sage, to father Zeus 

Open'd heart and hps. His prayer the Sire of gods 

Heard, and thmider'd loud to quell the Greeks; yet raised 

Th' courage high of Trojans and their allies, willing 

That with fire they wrap the beaked ships of Greece. 

Not until the flame of hostile fire that seized 

The poop of Ajax ship was seen, where ^Myrmidons 

Safely by the sea were moored, did AcliiUes' 

Stubborn soul give ear to Patrocles' desire 

To aid the Greeks. Within his tent still sulking Peleus' 

Son his anger nursed toward the kuig of men. 

Who from his embrace witliheld the lovely Briseis. 

Achilles wish'd that ever}' Greek might taste of death, 



Greece 123 

Save himself and Patrocles, his loved friend, 
And they two raze the walls of Ilion; but now, 
Fearing for the safety of his ships, in his 
Shining armor hasten'd to array his friend's 
GodHke form: the spangled breastplate bright with stars. 
The helmet with its horsehair plume, the mighty shield. 
The silver-studded sword, and his stout spears, reserving 
Only that far-famed Pelian ash which no 
Hand save his could poise; his charioteer most trusted 
Sent to drive the flying steeds of birth immortal. 
Whom nor honey'd word nor threat could move to seek 
A safe retreat or join the fray, they stood as column 
Stands to mark a tomb, beneath the splendid car 
Drooping to the ground their heads, their manes with dust 
Defil'd, their eyehds full of scalding tears e'en Zeus 
Pitied these immortal steeds, who could the misery 
Share of mortal man, when their dear charioteer 
Was by Hector's hand laid low. Though very vahant 
Not with single arm could Hector in the dust 
Patrocles have lain, who, ere his thread of life 
Was broken slew great Sarpedon, dear son of Zeus, 
And to Trojans three times nine dealt death. So he 
The well-built walls of Troy had razed, had not Apollo 
Stood thereon, with hands and threatening voice repelling 
GodHke strength. In mortal form the Delian fought 
By Hector's side to vanquish Patrocles. "Me fate 
Hath slain with Phoebus' aid, the victory Zeus has given 
Thee," Pelides' gentle, courteous friend did cry. 
As to the Shades his spirit fled. But ere his eyes 
Closed in death he dar'd predict that Hector soon 



124 The Child of the Nations 

By Peleus' matchless son laid low should be. Achilles 
When he heard how his loved friend had fallen, moaned 
So loud that Thetis heard, in cave of ocean, where 
She sat by nymphs surround'd, who wept and wail'd with 

her. 
Coming then to where Achilles stood, his goddess 
Mother begg'd to know his cause of grief, reminding 
Him that prayers which he had prayed in bitterness 
Of soul, not thinking what the issue, had been answer'd. 
Deeply groaning, Peleus' son his goddess mother 
Tells how his dear comrade was by Hector slain. 
And how the glorious arms, the gods' gift to Peleus, 
Had been stripped from his loved friend. Then swears 

Achilles 
Never to his home will he return till Hector 
Shall be vanquish'd by his spear. 
Passionate his grief, remorseful that his anger 
Towards the king of men had kept him from the strife; 
Knowing that his term of life is short he but 
Desires that Hector of the glancing helm by his 
Hand shall fall. The silver-footed goddess bids 
Achilles not go forth to battle 'til new arms 
She brings, which surely will Hephaestus make at her 
Request. While Thetis hied her to Olympus, then 
To th' fire-god's forge beneath the sea, fierce rag'd th' battle 
Round the body; Hector shouting loud his comrades 
Onward cheered, as in glittering arms late won 
He, with aid of Ares and of Zeus, came like 
A great war cloud upon the Greeks; 
Even valiant Menelaus, and Ajax of 



Greece 125 

Th' tow'ring shield, call'd loud for aid to save the corpse 

Of Patrocles from dogs of Troy. Idomeneus, 

Brave Meriones, and many more of lesser 

Note, now swell'd the battle of the Greeks. So had 

They easily won the day, but that in human form 

Apollo rous'd ^neas, who spoke winged words 

To the chiefs of Troy, by Hector's side fighting. 

Now the will of Zeus was changed, who sent the blue-eyed 

Maid to stir the strife, in bright-hued cloud array'd. 

In voice of phoenix Pallas spoke to Menelaus, 

Instill'd th' boldness of the fly within his breast. 

Then Iris bade Achilles to the rescue go; 

Because, without his arms he hesitates, o'er his 

Shoulders Pallas throws her tasselled aegis, while 

With a golden cloud his head encircles; then 

Joins her voice with his in three great shouts that fill 

With terror all the Trojan host. Beside their chariots 

Twelve of the bravest fell, while from the fray the Greeks 

Bear the body of their comrade dear away. 

Achilles sheds hot tears, and vows no funeral rites 

To celebrate until the arms and head of Hector 

He shall bring into his tent. 

All night the death of Patrocles the Myrmidons 

With loud groans bewail; while Briseis, whom Agamemnon 

Had restored, threw herself upon the bier 

And wept aloud; while all the other captive women 

Join'd th' wail, the death of Patrocles a pretext 

Bitter tears to shed, each for her private grief. 

When rosy-finger'd morn appear'd, who her glad light 

On gods and men does shed, from ocean's cave arose 



126 The Child of the Nations 

Thetis, bearing to her son Hephaestus' gift. 

As Achilles gazed upon this miracle rare 

Of art, his eyes enjoyed th' feast, but fiercer burn'd 

His wrath. Refusing food and drink, though urg'd by 

wise 
Odysseus not to fast, lest hunger shoiild subdue 
His strength, now to th' front Achilles drove his fiery 
Steeds; though Xanthus, noble horse, endow'd with speech 
By goddess Hera, had foretold Pelides' day 
Of doom was near, and that 'twas truth Achilles knew, 
Yet angry he that Xanthus had predicted it, 
And urg'd th' steeds whose feet with zephyr's breeze might 

vie. 
When Peleus' godlike son they saw in glitt'ring arms 
Arrayed, tembled every Trojan. 
Not long to join the fray the gods delayed. Themis 
By command of Zeus a council call'd to high 
Olympus. Rivers and nymphs of various grades were there; 
Old ocean only stayed within his bed. Poseidon 
Ask'd th' will of Zeus, which was that all the gods 
Should mingle in the fight. So angry war was by 
Th' gods unchained. Zeus thundered, earth was shaken 
By Poseidon so that Mount Ida quail'd from top 
To base and rock'd proud Ilion and the ships of Greece, 
So great the shock that Hades fear'd the solid earth 
Was breaking o'er his dark abode. With men and horses 
Throng'd th' plain; the earth rang loud beneath their feet. 
Urg'd by Phoebus, Aphrodite's son iEneas 
Advanc'd to meet Achilles; boasting each: of his 
Lineage high ^Eneas, of his prowess Achilles; 



Greece 127 

With spears and swords and stones they fight. But that 

for others' 
Guilt ^neas may not sacrifice his Hfe 
Poseidon casts a film before Achilles' eyes, 
And bears ^neas from the field. 
Onward then Achilles urg'd th' valiant Greeks; 
Likewise Hector cheers the men of Troy, to them 
Saying, "Fear not Peleus' son; I too with gods 
Could in words contend, though not in arms." Achilles 
Said, "Draw nigh and quickly meet thy death," and nothing 
Terrified is Hector at such lofty speech 
But modestly replies, "I own myself the weaker 
Yet with the gods th ' event if thou or I this day 
Shall die." Then Pallas lends her aid to Peleus' son, 
Who in fury strikes the misty cloud that Phoebus 
Rais'd o'er Hector. Now his rage on other chiefs 
He spends, and drives his chariot o'er the bodies of 
Th' dead. The flying host, some o'er the plain, some towards 
Th' city rush; a mingled mass of men and horses 
Into the whirling stream of Xanthus piling. Th' river 
Soon ran red with blood, while fearful groans arose 
From those by sword of Achilles stabb'd. Of slaughter tiring 
From the stream twelve youths he dragged, — their hands 

behind 
Them tying, bade his comrades lead them to the ships. 
Their lives on funeral pyre of Patrocles to forfeit. 
Then right and left he slew the men of Troy, nor listen'd 
To the prayers of suppliants 'til the mighty river 
Spoke. To move Achilles by his words he failed. 
So to Apollo th' lovely stream appeal'd, reminding 



128 The Child of the Nations 

Phoebus 'twas his duty to defend the men 

Of Troy. Achilles, nothing daunted, plung'd into 

Midstream to battle with the angry flood. To th' gods 

Soon he cried to save him from an ignominious 

Death. As it was not decreed that he should be 

O'erwhelm'd by a river, Pallas and Poseidon 

Came to aid him. This increased Scamander's rage 

So that succor from his brother Simois he 

Now asked. Hera seeing that the swollen stream 

Was likely to destroy Achilles, called Hephaestus 

Heavenly fire to bring. Then aided by the winds 

A strong blast summon'd so the trees along the river 

Bank were burned. The dead upon the plains were all 

Consimi'd by fire. The waves were e'en with fiery breath 

Scorch'd. Then spoke the mighty river, begging Hephaestus 

To restrain his wrath and prayed th' wily goddess 

Call away the fire. No Trojans more to save 

He pledg'd himself. So Hera heard his prayer, checked 

Th' flames, and in his wonted bed the river flowed. 

Yet 'mid other gods contentions rose. Triumphant 

Some, and some in angry mood their seats before 

Th' cloud compellor took. Apollo, fearing that, 

Th' gods withdrawn, the Greeks would raze his well-built 

walls, 
Enter'd now the gates of Troy. 
King Priam standing on a lofty tower, marked 
How Achilles drove the Trojan hosts and bade 
Th' warder open wide the gates. So now within 
Th' walls the Trojans from the Greeks escaped; only 
Hector stay'd without nor listen'd to his father's 



Greece 129 

Voice imploring him, nor yet his mother's anxious 

Pleading not alone to meet Achilles by 

Th' Scsean gate. His parents' tears and prayers were vain; 

For with dauntless courage Hector stood his ground, 

Thinking it were better th' fight to dare, and know 

At once to whom Zeus triumph will'd. Yet when, in armor 

Bright as rising sun Achilles brandishing his 

Ashen spear aloft, drew near, then trembling Hector 

Fled. Pelides, swift of foot, pursu'd with hate 

Untiring. Phoebus lent such suppleness of limb 

And strength to Hector, him Achilles ne'er had conquer'd, 

But that in his golden scales their lives did Zeus 

Weigh and Hector's sank. Then Pallas with her woman's 

Wiles, the bravest of the Trojans lur'd to death, 

To PeUdes' side him bringing, who noted where 

Th' armor which from Patrocles he'd stripped failed 

Hector's body to protect; now into this chink 

Achilles drove his spear, the stream of life thus sev'ring. 

Dying, Hector did predict that Paris' hand 

Helped by Apollo soon should end Achilles' 

Life; to which Pelides made reply: "My fate 

Shall I meet whenever Zeus decrees." Then while 

He stripp'd the blood-smear'd armor off, the Greeks press'd 

round. 
Anxious each to add a wound to Hector's noble 
Form. Pelides bound with leather thongs the ankles 
To his chariot, leaving the graceful head to trail. 
On the walls of Troy Andromache, Hector's loved 
Wife, not able to behold so sad a sight, 
Swoon'd, piteously mourn'd her fate and that of Hector's 



130 The Child of the Nations 

Son Astyanax; while Hecuba and Priam 

Wail'd aloud, as to the ship that lay by th' broad 

Hellespont Achilles drove his car, the corpse 

Of Hector dragging, which he flung by Patrocles' 

Couch, it for the dogs intending. 

That night, while sleeping 'mid his Myrmidons upon 

Th' ocean shore, Achilles saw in vision the Shade 

Of Patrocles, which asked him that the funeral rites 

Be hasten'd so that he could pass the river that separates 

Th' unburied from the buried dead, and begged that 

Their bones should together be interred, when 

Achilles should have met his doom beneath the walls 

Of Troy. To this request Achilles in his waking 

Hours gave thought, commanding that in golden urn 

Th' bones of Patrocles remain 'til his be ready 

For the tomb, then over both a mound be raised. 

In honor of his friend, Pelides gave rich prizes 

To those who in the funeral games contend'd. . Tydides 

With Athene's aid the chariot race won easily. 

Antilochus, noble Nestor's son, came next, his father's 

Word that skill is more than strength thus vindicating. 

For Admetos' son Eumelus, whose flying mares 

Came last, Antilochus of Achilles begg'd an added 

Prize. Wise Odysseus the blue-ey'd maiden prayed 

To give him speed of foot, and lo, the goddess Ajax 

Tripped, giving prize to him who trusted her. 

In archery, royal Teucer far excell'd them all, 

Yet forgetful to request the aid of Phoebus 

Archer king, by Meriones was surpass'd. 

Who ere he drew his bow an oflf'ring vow'd to give 



Greece 131 

Th' great far-darting god. In all the games some god 

Or goddess still took part. The crowd dispers'd; Achilles 

Still his dear friend Patrocles did mourn and bitter 

Tears he shed. Behind his car the corpse of Hector 

Trailing in the dust, the circuit three times made 

Of Patrocles' new tomb. The blessed gods with pity 

View'd th' sight. The great Sire summon' d Thetis, bade 

Her hasten to her son, acquaint him with the rage 

Of Zeus, and say that when rich ransom Priam to him 

Bring, the dead he must restore. 

Next to Ilion's king swift-footed Iris came 

To urge him take such presents as would melt Achilles' 

Heart, nor fear alone to go. His best lov'd bird 

Zeus as omen sent; also the gentle guardian 

God in form of princely youth, who to the aged 

King spoke winged words of praise regarding Hector's 

Bravery. Then did Hermes Priam's confidence gain. 

Th' royal Dardan, following Hermes, 

As suppliant clasp 'd Achilles' knees, and sued th' chief 

With honey'd words for Hector's corpse, Achilles' heart 

Touch'd, th' costly raiment took yet left enough 

To clothe the corpse; then urg'd the king to eat and drink, 

Reminding Priam that e'en Niobe from food 

Did not abstain when robb'd of fourteen children. So 

Of Achilles' hospitaHty Ilion's king 

Partook and each admir'd th' other's mien and speech. 

From war twelve days Achilles promis'd to refrain 

'Til Hector's funeral rites were o'er. 

Scarcely was the solemn feast in Priam's palace 

Ended, when Apollo thought of his prophetic 



132 The Child of the Nations 

Words by Troy's hero to his slayer spoken; 

So soon beside the Sc£ean gate Pehdes fell 

And o'er the body war was waged. 

Achilles' son aveng'd his sire by wounding Paris 

With a poison'd barb. Her Paris dead, what now 

At Troy held Helen? Th' Grecian chiefs were all for going 

Home, save only Odysseus who upheld the king 

Of men in his desire to raze the walls of Ilion. 

Th' wily one a plan conceived which Agamemnon 

Approv'd. A monstrous lion-horse they made of pine, 

Bound firmly round with bands of iron; this left upon 

Th' plains while seen to sail away the Grecian fleet. 

Bewilder'd were the men of Troy; what was the portent 

Of this sign? No doubt to Athens virgin queen 

An off 'ring. Thinking for themselves to gain the goddess' 

Favor, over th' walls they haul'd th' wooden horse. 

Too late the Trojans wak'd to their mistake. The fleet 

That night return'd from Tenedos, their comrades hidden 

In this mock Palladium ope'd the city gates. 

Behold, the enemy now within their walls, Troy's towers 

And temples soon ablaze, and Priam slain beside 

His household altar. iEneas, by his goddess mother 

Warn'd, with chosen few escap'd. 

Th' work of devastation wrought, the city sack'd 

Of all its treasures, beauty perfidious who the long 

War had caused, smiled upon her erstwhile lord 

And was forgiven; nay, for pardon asked not 

But made fair Menelaus think regaining her 

Prize enough for all the woe of Greece. Returning 

To their Spartan home, her husband's love the firmer 



Greece 133 

Helen held for ten years' absence. Yet as vain 

And heartless as of old, Electra said/^ that time 

She nurs'd Orestes, helping him to bear his load. 

Telling him of her long years of daily woe. 

Sin sown ages ago, when Tantalus in pride 

Defied th' gods, by ivory-shoulder'd Pelops nourish'd, 

Grew apace in Thyestes' hands; inherited by 

His sons. Loud cried th' crimes when palace doors were open'd 

To murders new. Now all this weight of woe and sin 

And crime for many generations past, his family's ,,^^ 

Heritage, awaken'd in Orestes' heart. |! 

When upon the blood-stained blade he gazed which 

He had plung'd into his mother's breast, his grief 

Was madness. Furies rag'd; th' conscience of his race. 

Long buried came to life in him. 

At length with laurel bough in hand to Pythia's cave 

He came, and knelt and pray'd for penance, his burning brain 

To calm. Not only with knee bow'd but heart inclin'd 

To do the will of God, he waited for oracular 

Voice his punishment to declare: "From Scythian Taurus 

To Pelops' isle his sister he should bring." By good 

Pylades aided, Iphigenia home he brought. 

Whose virginity had been sacrificed to Artemis 

When the ships would sail for Troy, so coming from 

Th' Dardan realm, hke fate had Polyxena suffer'd.^^ 

Many peaceful years Orestes reign'd o'er Argos 

And Mycenae, obeying e'er Apollo's mandates 

E'en though ignorant of their portent. 

What time he interview'd th' sage Tiresias, 

Where beside the stream of deep flowing ocean in 



134 The Child of the Nations 

That far country, whither Circe bade him sail 

To know his fate, Odysseus learned much of what 

At home had happened in the land of rocky Ithaca, 

For to drink of th' blood came many spectres, from 

Th' shades of Tartarus. His mother told him that 

His dear old father Laertes still mourn'd his absence; 

That Telemachus, his much-lov'd son, to manhood 

Grown, now sorrowing sought his father; that by suitors 

Who his substance wast'd, Penelope was surround'd. 

Agamemnon wept aloud, recounting all 

His suff 'rings and his wrongs, at sight of him wept also 

Odysseus. Lastly Achilles, whom the Argives honor'd 

As a god, spoke sorrowfully, saying he'd 

Rather live above the ground and be a hireling 

Than a ruler 'neath the earth. Of all the souls 

By Odysseus seen, tall Ajax, son of Telemon, 

Alone refus'd to speak to him, still angry that 

Odysseus had prevailed against him in the fight 

For Achilles' arms. The loss of his bright heavenly 

Armor had made Ajax take his life; the gain 

Was recompense far too small for all Odysseus 

Had endur'd. His wand'rings have been call'd a myth. 

Many seem to be the inconsistencies 

Of this eventful voyage; yet in that day water 

Was where land is now, and islands then which now 

Have disappeared. No doubt for dramatic effect 

Some things exaggerated were, but license more 

Is permitted the comedian than th' historian. 

Th' author of th' Odyssey had in earlier days 

Woven an historic scene in dramatic form, 



Greece 135 

Which for centuries was fiction deem'd, until 

In these latter days the hoe and shovel have 

Shown where Troj ans fought with Greeks. The landmarks of 

Th' Dardan realm by archaeologists are pointed 

Out, and many fragments found which tell us now 

That the life then lived is depicted clearly 

In the Iliad, greatest of all tragic poems/^ 

Not an empty name but a living soul 

Homer is, the world's supremest genius. 

His geography from ours may differ. 

Not exactly a chronicle of facts I 

May his history be, for poets write 

Upon whatever canvas fate has given 

Them. How gloriously Homer painted 

On that background of old Troy, in lines 

True and faithful drew those heroes as 

They were, yet paint' d th' gods in colors bright 

Enough to let us see their faults and follies! 

Well he knew the use of satire's sharp 

Blade. It is the string on which his boldest 

Songs are strung. He with this weapon would 

Destroy the pantheistic creed of his 

Day, the polytheistic belief of that 

Generation. Very frail are his 

Olympians; very human are those gods 

He made for Greece. Ever Fate than Zeus 

Is stronger, th' thread of life she spins, which even 

Th' mighty cloud compeller cannot lengthen. 

This great father of gods and men his wife 

Blames whenever anything goes wrong. 



136 The Child of the Nations 

She is constantly deceiving him. 

Hera, also Pallas, hates Troy, and not 

For any righteous reason, only that 

Paris had declared Aphrodite 

The most beautiful goddess; yet even this 

Baneful disease of jealousy does not prevent 

Hera flying fast as thought. We see 

How Homer veils, yet tells, the truth that thought 

Travels. Thetis knew when griev'd her son 

While Achilles betimes presag'd ill. 

Animals as well as men were given 

Foreknowledge. Rivers as well as horses speak, 

Th' elements join the fight in such a way 

We feel the poet's cognizance of nature's 

Laws. Apollo, healing god, is sunlight 

In the physical world. Athene, th' air 

Queen, to aid those who on her are calling 

Works in various ways; she demonstrates 

To Achilles the restraining power of a deep 

Breath; in Menelaus' arms and knees 

Pallas stirs new vigor, plainly telling 

What fresh air will do to calm the nerves. 

In the sacred river, fainting heroes 

Bathe their wounds. So water, fire, and air 

Give much strength to those who use them rightly. 

Homer often shows that God's will 

With the human working, betters all 

Conditions. Glaucos prays; he knows his prayer 

Is answer 'd; glad he is and straightway pain 

Ceases. Hector, sorely wounded, not 



Greece i37 

Even able to pray yet ever reverent, 

Hearing Apollo's voice receives great strength, 

Yet begins to revive the moment Zeus 

Wills it. This is a well-defined statement 

Of the truth of so-called absent treatment. 

Th' poet seldom knows how much of hght. 

How many godhke thoughts, his page enfolds, 

While he fearlessly writes what God puts in 

His heart. In after days the multitude 

Praises him who in his lifetime was 

Derided. Now we weep recalhng Homer's 

Keen privations : going without bread 

To pay for parchment; going without sleep 

To write what came in visions of the night, 

Immortal verses singing far beyond 

Th' mind of men those days, whose nearest friends 

Thought him mad; great loneliness of spirit 

Suff'ring; knowing not his future praise. 

Though long delay'd, proportion'd to his anguish 

Of heart and mind would be. 

An earnest study of the poet teaches 

Us that he who suffers most will, when 

Time is ripe, bear richest fruit. There are 

Bulbs that grow in water; flowers that 

Too quickly spring, and die as quickly; but 

Th' great strong trees come only when the frost 

Has crack'd their nuts, while they best root'd are 

Which must split the cold hard rocks themselves. 

There are vines that climb, but bloom not 'til 

They reach great height, their chalice holding open 



138 The Child of the Nations 

To the sky all night, not seen by man. 
Like to these white, heavenly scented glories 
Of the night, great Homer art thou spreading 
Thy vine, not only on the dwellings of 
Th' learned to-day, but over many humble 
Homes, rare sweetness shedding o'er every one 
Who cares to come your way. 
Not until Lycurgus went to Crete to study 
Minos' laws,^* did Homer's poems find their way 
To Greece as we know Greece, the land of Helen; where 
At Sparta they were sav'd though not rever'd as 
Good Lycurgus wish'd, who knew their worth, because 
An impressionist himself, receiving laws 
Divine as roses dew receive. 
Solon a Codifier of far different type 
Than Sparta's great lawgiver, called wise indeed 
Because he knew what others understood or thought 
They knew, from Egypt, Syria and the islands gleaning - 
This noble man of Salamis to Athens gave 
A code of laws for that day perfect. 
In Solon's day were many men of wisdom. Thales 
Taught that Homer dream'd that water is the source 
Of life terrestrial. Poets ever bear the torch. 
Light the path for minds material. 
Corinthian Periander helped Arion take 
Music rare to other courts than his. The tyrant 
Pittacus, to whom Alcaeus war songs sang. 
For whom the cup was filled by Sappho's brother, is 
Immortalized, because upon her lyre the tenth 
Muse a sympathetic note did strike while he 



Greece 139 

O'er Lesbos reign'd. Of Love's sad pain to Aphrodite 

Sappho did complain, the hearts of many touching 

In her day and in after days. 

As 'tis said, the head of Orpheus floated o'er 

Th' sea, and landed on the Lesbian isle; so Sappho's 

Flowers of verse, dyed so red by broken heart. 

Wafted were by gentle zephyrs to ^ohan 

Thebes, where in Corinna's soul they found an echo, 

Whose sweet singing taught great Pindar how to spread 

His eagle wings. A deeper mine of philosophic 

Truth in iEschylus' majestic lines we find; 

This man of Marathon gives speech to mountains, makes 

Th' sea waves weep, and shows in true dramatic form 

How man's rebellion to the will divine still holds 

Him chained upon the rocks of Time.^^ 

O'er many men of pow'r that day Aspasia 

Like a goddess spread her saffron robe; her willing 

Slave was Pericles, who Athens ruled as 

Zeus had erstwhile rul'd th' sky. By his persuasive 

Arts this earthborn god made men his bidding do. 

So, soon, upon the ruins the Persians left, arose 

Buildings fairer than had been. Not only bloom'd 

Th' great AcropoHs with temples, statues, trees 

And gardens fair; but halls and palaces most rare 

All of glist'ning marble from Pentehcon 

Builded were on other hills: the hall of government 

Upon the Pnyx; near by Aspasia's palace faced 

Th' sea; while on the hillside opposite a Httle 

Hut, where Kalicrates fram'd th' plans, with clear 

Vision, of Athene's perfect temple. Others 



I40 The Child of the Nations 

Help'd th' sacred fane to fashion for their loved 

Virgin goddess; skillful, willing, unpaid hands 

Rais'd th' fluted pillars, on which Time's 

Hand has laid the amber tints, as if the sun-god's 

Sisters yet were weeping that such beauty could 

E'er crumble. Still they stand, those perfect columns, of 

Mother art the sentinels, though earthquakes, flood, 

Fire, barbaric hands and bombs have hammer'd them. 

As we chmb the steps or tread the floor of this 

Stately Parthenon, we honor all who worshipp'd 

Wisdom in a woman's form. Here Socrates 

Came to pray. If, while the priest intent upon 

Th' lamb for sacrifice his knife uprais'd, th' people's 

Head bent low, the great sad eyes of the philosopher 

Search'd th' sky for hidden truth, we still must say 

Socrates came here to pray. 

Golden precepts from the great truth-seeker's loom 

Gleam in shining threads upon the page of Bacchus' 

Youngest Child, ^® who in the temple of the god 

Of wine libations rich pour'd forth in sweetest verse, 

Singing strains of love or paeans of pain to show 

Th' merits of self sacrifice to suff'ring man. 

Euripides the same fire felt that Socrates 

Sustain'd, when through his human frame the hemlock sent 

Death's chill, while round him stood his lov'd disciples 

Thinking of the "Good" their teacher had proclaimed. 

One there was who wrote what Socrates had said 

As nearly as he could, and many sought the shrine 

At Delphi where Apollo's temple rested on 

Th' rock beside Castalia's spring. 'Twas here the great 



Greece 141 

Philosopher heard th' oracular voice. It bade him listen 

To the inner voice divine (which few can hear), 

And never disobey its leadings. 

Of all the Pythias that ever sat upon 

Th' tripod to interpret Phoebus' words, not one 

Surpass'd th' Delphic priestess of this day. Not all 

Who tried could play Apollo's lyre; not all could catch 

Th' music of the sun-god's voice, which never has 

Been mute.^^ His sacred fane from times remote was call'd 

Th' centre of the earth; and far and wide the fame 

Of every Delphic priestess spread. 



CANTO VIII 



R 



ome 



When Mneas left the burning walls of Troy, his father on his 
shoulder, leading his young son, by faithful band 

Followed, to Greece he sail'd, ascended to the shrine of Troy's 
lov'd god, that he might learn where to go to rear an altar 

For his household gods that he might give to less enlighten'd 
lands the culture and religion of the Dardan realm. 

Little did yEneas dream of all the perils 
And the toil he would endure before he reach'd 
Th' spot long destin'd the traditions of his people 
To preserve. So earnestly he desir'd to find 
Th' place Apollo bade him seek, that Macedon's 
Vast lands nor Sicily's fruitful fields detain'd him long; 
And had he not been shipwrecked on the Carthaginian 
Shore, he ne'er had dream'd of Dido, fair Phoenician 
Princess, who with winning ways enslav'd him for 
A year. While mending were the much betatter'd sails, 
Her generous aid and lavish hospitality readily 
Th' Dardan did accept. Yet naught availed her 
Wail of woe iEneas to detain, when ready 
To depart. By duty and ambition ruled 
He sail'd away, while passionate and uncontroll'd 
Dido stabb'd herself upon the funeral pile. 
Little thought ^Eneas of the life that he 
Had wrecked. Love's voice now fail'd to reach his ear. 
Pride of conquest, for discovery keen desire, 

142 



Rome 143 

Led him where destiny had design'd that he should dwell. 

At Cumae landing, fairest city on the famed 

Hesperian shore, built nobly, filled with richest store 

Of rare Etrurian art,^ with harbor grand and mountains 

Warding off the inland foes; a spot to be 

Desir'd ^neas thought, and forthwith made alliance 

With the Latin king, who fear'd th' Trojan arms; 

Therefore gave his daughter to Anchises' son 

In marriage, who a city built and call'd in honor 

Of his wife Lavinium. 

In this and much else that ^neas undertook 

Th' sage advice his father gave he follow'd, when 

Midst the sulphurous fumes in her mysterious grotto 

Th' wise Cumsean Sibyl brought Anchises from 

Th' Shades to hold communion with his pious son. 

Yet not all the admonitions of his father, 

Nor the worldly counsel of the Sibyl to whom 

Much gold he'd given, from the enmity of Turnus, 

Betrothed of Lavinia, kept iEneas. Fierce 

And many were the battles ere this foe was vanquish'd. 

But of this and how the Trojans ever gained 

More and more, did Vergil amply sing, and tell 

Of the goodly kingdom left Ascanius, 

When to th' Shades ^neas passed. 

Th' long-fam'd Alba Longa by ^Eneas' son 

Was builded, who made alliance here and there with scatter'd 

Tribes of old Etruria's once great stock, a people 

Part from Egypt, part from Persia, who along 

Italia's shore had built, before Calabria from 

Th' sea came forth to lure the pleasure-loving, wand'ring 



144 The Child of the Nations 

Greek. An island in ^Eneas' time, Hesperia 
Had been desir'd by all who heard of its fair clime, 
Its orange and its lemon groves, its cornfields and 
Vineyards rare. Its city proudly faced th' western 
Sea, secure in Nature's bulwarks. 
Little did Cumseans dream that they and all 
Their palaces would some day buried be beneath 
Hot rocks and streams of molten lava, when the mighty 
Avernus his work should do, and mount be lost 
Save in name of placid acrid lake; and river 
Fam'd its course would change, and later change its name;^ 
While the greatness of Etruria's state in days 
To come be but a schoolboy's tale. 
Not in Ascanius' day, nor in that of his 
Most noted descendants came these changes vast; yet north- 
ward 
Press'd th' Trojans and their Latin allies, peoples 
Of the valleys fighting, nor the mount e'er yielding 
Where Alba Longa stood, where king after king held sway 
From Dardan ^Eneas claiming descent. 
But wicked men arose, and brothers fought. The daughter 
Of the king was forc'd to be a Vestal Virgin, 
However brought forth twins, by Mars, she said. Fain would 
Th' usurper slay these babes; but otherwise the gods 
Had will'd, and sent to save them from a watery grave 
A shepherd kind, whose wife was Lupa call'd because 
Of her free life; a woman kind of heart to these 
Starved boys gave suck. So Roman art and history 
Preserve her memory, wee Romulus and Remus 
Picturing nursed by a wolf. 



Rome 145 

When to manhood grown not shepherd's staff but huntsman's 

Sports appear 'd to Rhea Silvia's sons; their natural 

Bent their foster father nurtur'd; and soon a band 

Of lawless youths surround'd them, who built a town, 

For Romulus their leader named. Near the foot 

Of the Palatine hill it lay, while other towns 

From other hills look'd down, by fear and envy stirred. 

Upon the throne of Rome, in turn, sat seven kings; 

Each was by a woman ruled. 

Sabine Hersilia bade her Romulus desist 

From battling, when her people came their daughters to 

Reclaim, who stolen were by youths of Rome, so peace 

Was made between these alien states. 

Egeria, lovely nymph, with divination gifted. 

Taught the pious Numa what the gods desired 

Most, while he obedient to his sibyl wife 

At Rome estabhsh'd rites religious. 

Etrurian Tanaquil, so full of base intrigue. 

Her Greek-born husband on the throne of Romulus 

Did place; then slave within her palace born exalted 

To the highest station, Servius, th' boy 

Whose head 'twas said oft blaz'd with light in sleep. A 

peaceful 
King and loved was he, yet ne'er secure; for TulHa 
Th' restless temper of the younger Tarquin stirred 
To murder Tarquin Primus; then her chariot drove 
Over his dead body in the market place; 
And put the crown so deeply dyed in family blood 
Upon her husband's head, whose many sanguinary 
Victories soon gain'd for him the name Superbus, 



146 The Child of the Nations 

Desiring for the Tarquin name a monument, Jove's 

Temple, by his father started, the king would now 

Finish; but, a frightful prodigy occurring 

Which Etrurian sages failed to interpret, 

Superbus sent his sons the oracle at Delphi 

To consult. The serpent might portend the god's 

Displeasure that no temple in his honor had 

Been built since Alba Longa was destroyed. With 

Th' Tarquins went their cousin Lucius Junius Brutus, 

Thought a witless lad, for fearing much the king 

He had dissembled; yet was bright enough, for when 

Pythia declar'd that he who first should kiss 

His mother Rome would rule, while lots the Tarquins cast 

To see on which should fall this honor, Brutus stumbling 

Kiss'd the earth, rememb'ring Rhea is the mother 

Of mankind. And he it was who ruled th' state 

After he had stirr'd the indignation of 

Th' people by his eloquent recital o'er 

Th' body of Lucretia, whose death untimely 

Hasten'd the end of regal government at Rome. 

Yet the form of rule chang'd not the hearts of men; 

Consuls now instead of kings, more liberty, more 

Ferment; wars abroad, at home dissension; no 

Stability, no loyalty; to-day a man 

Prime favorite is; to-morrow exiled. 

Coriolanus brave, much scarred, from attacking 

Th' imperial city deterred by the rebuke 

Of his aged mother and Volumnia's tears. 

Died in exile; while to those who pray'd for peace 

As a reward, the citizens built a temple to female 



Rome 147 

Fortune. Yet not tears nor temple stayed th' fearful 

March of war, nor quell'd internal strife, until 

Patricians shar'd th' spoils of government with those 

Whose bone and sinew held the state. 

Step by step the army steadily fought its way 

Towards a democratic commonwealth. The Volscians 

Ceas'd to be. Th' ^Equians finally were defeated, 

When peace-loving Cincinnatus, call'd to be 

Dictator, left his plow, and on to victory led 

Th' Romans. Last of all th' Italian peoples engulfed 

By Rome were th' Etrurians. Then was she by th' Greeks 

At sea defeated. Attacked by the Gauls on th' north, 

Veil was at length destroyed. Thus forever 

Broken was the power of Rome's strongest enemy. 

Quelling Etruria but open'd th' gate to th' Gauls; 

So these strange peoples of the North now found their way 

To th' Eternal City, which they pillaged and 

Burn'd, all save the capitol; this seven months 

They besieged unsuccessfully. 

Th' Gauls withdrew; rebuilt was Rome, and soon for more 

Warfare ready; now against the nations south 

Waged three long wars. Then one by one the Greek 

Cities of the coast submitt'd to Rome's supremacy. 

Th' Tarentines for liberty fought bravely, aided 

By Pyrrhus' army and his elephants at first 

Repell'd th' Roman arms, yet Samnites fell at length. 

Th' fruitful isle of Sicily, coveted long, became 

Next the seat of war. The Punic colonies strove 

Constantly with th' Greeks. The Romans from the isle 

Drove the Carthaginians, and rule upheld 



The Child of the Nations 



Of Hiero of Syracuse, descendant of 

Gelon of Gala, brother of that Hiero 

In whose time iEtna vomit'd fire,^ and sent forth giant 

Lava streams destructive for the time, for after 

Days enriching plains of Sicily/ This was that 

Hiero whose affluent halls were graced by poets 

And philosophers. Here ^schylus and Pindar 

Honor'd were. The Pythian and Olympian bays 

Still are green in those immortal odes where e'en 

Th' king's victorious horse has found a lasting name.^ 

Wars nor wealth can give such length of days to men 

Of mortal mould as can the poet's page, in whose 

Power it lies e'en kingly hospitality to 

Well repay. Would Hiero be known to-day 

Had the Theban bard not feasted at his board? 

Of the lesser one we ne'er had heard, but that 

In lovely lyric lays Theocritus his patron's 

Praise did sing; while he, protected by the Roman 

Power in southern Sicily, mildly rul'd th' lazy 

Pleasure-loving Greek. Not rul'd so easily were 

Th' Samnite Carthaginians. When quieted in 

Sicily depradations then began in Spain. 

Ere the fleet arriv'd from Italy, Roman strongholds 

On the coast attacked were; and led by bold, 

Cruel and relentless Hannibal they crossed 

Th' Alps, and nearly crush'd th' Roman state at Cannae. 

For years they devastated southern Italy, while 

Strategic, murderous Marcellus Syracuse 

Besieged, and the treasures of its temples brought 

To Rome; then turn'd his army 'gainst the Punic leader, 



Rome 149 

Met his death, and buried was by Hannibal. 

Th' fate of Rome in balance hung when Scipio — 

Young in years but old in vision, placing his 

Dependence on the gods, who show'd their will and his 

Destiny in dreams, and made him brave to do. 

E'en when contrary to the Senate's voice, their bidding — 

Asked for troops to lead to Africa, which was refus'd; 

But so famous for victories in Spain became 

That in goodly numbers volunteers to his side 

Flock'd. With fleet and army formidable he sailed 

To Afric's shore where on the field of Zama great 

Hannibal he overcame. So glorious was 

This victory, that in triumph home returning th' surname 

Africanus Scipio received. Th' people 

Then desir'd to make him consul and dictator; 

But as in Spain he had declin'd th' title king, 

Then preferring that of general, so he now 

Prudently put aside these proffer'd honors, for 

Th' Senate's jealousy well he knew. 

War with Macedon came shortly after peace 

With Carthage. Philip having further'd Hannibal 

Incens'd th' Romans. Scipio in humbleness 

Of spirit asked leave to follow his brother who 

Led the troops. The power of Macedon in Greece 

By Titus Quinctius Flaminius was broken; 

Th' news that Greece was free proclaim'd at th' Nemean 

Games by heralds scarcely was believ'd; yet almost 

Overpower'd was Quinctius by gratitude 

Expressed by th' assembled Achaeans. 

After this was Rome involved in war with Eastern 



150 The Child of the Nations 

Powers. Egypt, Carthage, Macedon, each proffer'd 

Help. The gold and coin from Africa proudly was 

Refus'd but Philip's aid in driving Antiochus 

Out of Greece accepted gladly. Th' allied forces 

At Thermopylae defeated th' Asiatics, 

Where in early days the brave Leonidas 

With three hundred Spartans held the pass against 

Th' Persian host. The Romans conquer'd Antiochus 

Later at sea, and drove him back to Asia Minor, 

There depriving him of most of his dominion. 

Now the Asiatic luxuries and customs 

Became the vogue at Rome. Against these tastes and gauds 

Newly acquired Cato harangu'd, when opposing 

Th' repeal of th' Oppian law. 

Conspicuous for his austere frugality, Cato 

Fear'd that avarice and luxurious living would 

Into captivity bring the state; for these 

He knew had ruined all great empires. 

Despite the strenuous opposition of the censor. 

Law the dress of women limiting was repealed; 

For Valerius, plebeian Tribune, all 

Cato's fears most eloquently silenc'd, showing 

By examples from remotest times to his 

Day it was not new for women to appear 

In public when the interest of the commonwealth 

Demanded it. "The matron's gold it was that ransom'd 

Rome when Gauls besieged. The widows' fund supplied, 

During a later war, the treasury. When to these 

Shores new gods were invited to relieve our distress, 

Did not the matrons in a body go to th' coast 



Ro 



me 



151 



Th' Idasan mother to receive? " 

These and other instances Valerius 

Cited. As to the repeal of laws in general, 

Th' Tribune agreed with Cato, but this law was not 

Coeval with the city, nor was it written by 

Decemvirs on the tables twelve, but only passed 

When necessitated by the state's distress. 

Reminding Roman men that power the greater any 

One possesses, th' more moderate should he be 

In exercising it; the Tribune Valerius 

Closed his justly famed speech.^ 

Cato lived to ripe old age, preserving strength 

Of mind and body. " Carthage must destroyed be, " 

Were his words, no matter what the subject of 

Senatorial debate. As constant drippings 

Wear the hardest rocks away, so Cato's oft 

Repeated speech the Senate mov'd, who found excuse 

Their rival city to besiege. The namesake of 

Hannibal's defeator Carthage's destroyer 

Was. This Scipio like th' elder one was taught 

By dreams. One night in Massinissa's palace sleeping 

He was visit'd by the Shade of Africanus 

Who predicted for him many honors. Also 

In this same dream his father, Paulus, spoke to him 

Of the Life Hereafter, of the bliss eternal 

Which awaited him, and of his duty to 

Preserve the wonderful union of the soul and body 

Until from earthly fetters God should will him loosed. 

Africanus spoke again of things not known 

To seers regarding planet Rhea, sun and stars; 



152 The Child of the Nations 

And urg'd his namesake not to think of worldly fame, 

But his heart to set on things above and know 

He was a god; for one who feels, and recollects, 

And controls his body, as the Ruler Supreme 

Governs th' world, must be a god. 

Much else Scipio the Elder spake, and all 

Predictions of this dream came true.^ 

About this time Achaia conquer'd was by Quintus 

Metellus. Corinth was demolish'd, Thebes and Chalcis 

Were laid low. Numidia Metellus ravag'd 

Later, and defeat'd Jugurtha. But it was 

Marius by Sulla aid'd who took the Numidian 

In chains to Rome. This Marius was th' first to enter 

Th' Senate in triumphal habit. Son of th' soil. 

He valu'd costly apparel more than do the noble 

Born. Because success attend'd his raids against 

Th' Teutons and the Cimbri he became the popular 

Hero of the day, yet far too ignorant was 

To govern. Soon his blood-stain'd rule was ended by 

Th' wily Sulla, first to turn his arms against 

His country. Marius then fled. Victorious Sulla 

Led his army into Greece, in campaign ruthless 

Athens stormed, slaying most of her inhabitants; 

Returning then to Italy terroriz'd th' people 

By massacre more merciless than Marius 

E'er perpetrat'd; to suit himself the laws refashion'd, 

Dictatorial ofl&ce abdicated then. 

And return'd to private life. 

Yet systems he establish'd did not save the state; 

For after Sulla's death no one arose with power 



Rome 153 

Enough to seize the government 'til Juhus First, 

Greatest of the Cagsars, law and order brought | 

Out of anarchy, when he had conquer'd Pompey 

Call'd th' Great, who with success the Seleucidse 

Overthrew, the rulers of the Asiatic 

Realm since Alexander's day. 

Advancing to Judea, Pompey after a long 

Siege the temple at Jerusalem took, his way 

Forcing into the holy place where only high 

Priest might lawfully enter; Palestine annex'd 

To Syria, and home return'd th' hero of 

Th' hour. Ambitious, yet without ability his 

Hopes to realize, from Caesar, favorite now 

Of the democratic party, gladly he 

Accepted help. With Pompey's prestige, Crassus' wealth 

And his own genius, Caesar form'd th' first triumvirate. 

Of short duration this, for Crassus in the east 

Defeat'd and killed, Pompey curried favor with 

Th' people and soon sole consul was at Rome; while Caesar 

Many victories won in Germany, Gaul and Britain, 

Having made the ocean and the Rhine the boundaries 

Of Rome, yet order'd was by jealous Senate to 

Disband his army. Friends now ask'd th' Consulship 

For him. Not granted this; so Csesar peace desiring 

Demanded Pompey should disband his legions; this 

Refused, notwithstanding th' apparition which 

Spoke of bloodshed, Caesar cross'd th' Rubicon, 

And soon th' imperial city occupied, Pompey 

Having fled. The food supply securing and 

Th' opposing forces conquering in Hispania, 



154 The Child of the Nations 

Caesar was proclaim'd Dictator. Th' government was 
Reorganized; then with troops well disciplined 
Little difficulty he had in overpowering 
Pompey. Bloody yet decisive was Pharsalia. ^ 
Now to Egypt came the rivals; here receiving 
Pompey's head, great Caesar wept, as Alexandria's 
Founder wept when no more worlds he found to conquer. 
With family feuds was Egypt rife. The young king no 
Resemblance bore to those great Ptolemies whose name 
Alone he had inherited. First of these new-made 
Egyptian kings by Alexander's will who sat 
Upon the throne was Soter called. Philadelphus, 
His son, patron was of learning, and justly famed 
For his large library, while the other Ptolemies 
For warHke attributes were known, until degenerate 
Grew the race, in too much luxury swath'd. The last 
Flower on this dying stem was Cleopatra. 
Caesar by her charms enthrall'd at her side 
Linger 'd; when affairs at home requir'd his presence, 
Th' beautiful princess placed upon the throne of Egypt 
Jointly to rule with her young brother. 
Caesar soon became sole master of the Roman 
World; created Imperator, with consummate 
Judgment gave attention to the empire. Showing 
No resentment nor revenge, his enemies 
He forgave; yet of his popularity some 
Partisans of his were jealous, for the people 
Gladly him accepted; but powerless were to shield 
Their god when he o'erconfident refus'd to note 
Th' auspices, the warnings fail'd to read, nor listen'd 



Rome 155 

To his wife Calpurnia, whose dreams forshadow'd 

Harm to him, but came upon the Ides of March 

As usual to the Senate quite unarmed; there 

Was stabb'd by men he had call'd friends 

Who, while they aim'd their cruel blows to lay him low, 

Gave undying fame to this imperial leader, 

A crown more lasting than the one he thrice refus'd 

Upon the Lupercal. His blood was spilt by those 

To whom his friendship only gave distinction; they 

Envied his invincible genius; his mind 

They never understood, nor fathom'd his great heart; 

So like Dodona's giant oak in sacred forest 

Cleft by Caesar's sword, then fell'd by his command, 

Rome's Imperator fell; with whom began 

Th' greatest empire earth has known. 

As the swollen sea in turbulent waves is tossed 

After a storm, now Roman rival parties strove 

Each with greedy hands to seize the reins of power. 

Three in sanguinary rule united. All 

Th' old-time friends of Cssar they proscribed. Even 

One, "The Father of his Country" called, who 

Wrote and spoke his native tongue as none had done 

Before, was foully murdered, while his head and hands 

Were nailed where his eloquence had often flowed. 

Like a calm between two storms, as sea-foam white 

Because all else is black, thy fame, O Cicero, 

Lasting is. The sea of trouble still rolled on. 

After fated Phillipi ran Cassius 

And Brutus on their swords. Her aid now Cleopatra 

Lent to Anthony, who his wife and children left 



156 The Child of the Nations 

For this voluptuous queen. No match was this perfidious 

Pair for him who soon in Rome was styled Augustus 

When he had won the world at Actium. To Egypt 

Then the fooHsh lovers fled, and took their lives. 

Octavius now sole master of the empire was, 

Which for a space was quiet as ocean is, when swollen 

Flood, subsiding after strenuous storm, the sea 

Clear and blue without a ripple leaves, while on 

The horizon spreading their white sails in glistening 

Simlight, scarcely seen to move, a line of barques. 

So in a nation after agitation great 

Comes a time of peace and much prosperity, when 

Many men arise and soar on wings of golden 

Opportunity, leaving for the generations 

Yet to come undying words. 

Not by one great man are made the world's great 

Ages, but by many illumin'd souls whose genius 

Is permitted to unfold amid congenial 

Surroundings. Horace had not written as he did 

But for Maecenas' lavish hand and sympathetic 

Voice, whose gifts the poet well repaid by praise 

Of his munificence. Those gentle satires, gracious 

Letters, odes like pearly dew upon the lawn. 

Are with us still; the Villa and the gold are gone. 

To his dear friend Vergilius, who led him to 

Th' friend at court, did Horace hold affection. Both 

These poets learn'd in Grecian lore sought Athens, home 

Of every classic song, whose very dust is brain. 

Vergil's soul was clad in fragile clay, which wrap 

Too soon was worn away; yet even so, he stands 



Rome 157 

First of Roman bards. His pastorals^ claim our praise, 

Though to Theocritus this form of lay came first. 

Vergil much surpass'd th' Syracusan singer 

In refinement of this style of verse. In his 

Heroic poem this bard took Homer for a guide. 

Little new the work contains yet full of legend 

And of lore; is firm in teaching that we live 

Again and work in other spheres; for Vergil knew 

That he was part of that bright flame in each intelligence 

Glowing, felt his soul was nourished by a light 

That kindled once, shines on forever.^" 

Poets were not rare in Rome these days. Catullus' 

And TibuUus' Sapphic strains were oftener read 

Than Cinna's geographic page, whose Smyrna now 

Forgotten lies. To passionate men and women, little 

Learned, Ovid then, as now, appeal'd. Among 

These meteoric men, for poets ever strange 

Paths tread, there lived a man of calm and quiet temper 

Who with rich yet simple diction penned th' history 

Of Rome in faultless style. As stately forest tree. 

Its head above the vines and blossoms rears, so Livy 

Of Patavium, that town in northern Italy 

Which Antenor of Troy did build, stood lonely in 

His height amid the writers of his age. His talents 

Won for him the friendship of the Senate's prince. 

So that far and wide his fame was spread, while yet 

On earth he liv'd— and still lives on. 

Not one of all those high-born geniuses 

Of Rome who shone at august Cesar's court. 

As stars do circling shine about the sun, 



158 The Child of the Nations 

To his royal table coming as 

The gods on Mount Olympus hasten when 

To banquet hall of Zeus by Hebe bidden, 

To the world would give the wisdom, light 

And truth that came from Galilee, from lips 

Of Man whose name Augustus ne'er had heard. 

He to Caesar tribute paid, yet taught 

A higher fealty belonged to God. But who 

Could live in all the splendor of the empire 

Days, and not be buried 'neath its gauds, 

As surely as Tarpeia was in early 

Times, by Sabine shields and bracelets covered? 

Nor dreamed these men of Rome what marvellous things 

Were happening in far off Palestine, 

Nor would believe if told that Gabriel, angel 

Bright, from highest heaven a visit paid 

A maid in Nazareth, and hailed her chosen 

Of the Lord, Messiah's mother she 

To be. This message modest Mary doubting, 

The angel did declare with God all things 

Possible are. Submissive then to wish 

Most High, this Holy Virgin, child of Anne 

And Joachim,^^ to Zacharias' house 

Did hasten there to tell the wondrous news, 

Yet ere the salutation passed was hailed 

As Mother of the Lord. Then Mary sang 

A hymn of praise and prophecy that all 

Should ever call her blessed. ^^ 

To Joseph, who like many of his race 

Was versed in dreams, it was reveal'd that his 



Rome 159 

Was Aaron's rod. So when the priest bade all 
Unmarried men of David's line their rod 
Into the Temple bring, to see if sign 
From heaven be given, on Joseph's rod a dove 
Did perch, ^^ fullilling prophecy. Then the priest 
To Joseph's care the blessed maid confided. 
While they in David's town sojourned, a son 
Was born, and shepherds hearing angel chorus 
Came to cave where lay the babe by glistening 
Light surrounded; while seers from Egypt, Greece 
And India came with gifts of frankincense. 
Of gold, and myrrh, to worship Him, the King 
New-born, whose brilliant star they'd seen afar. 
His parents, true to Jewish law, the Child 
Did bring to temple at Jerusalem where 
Aged priest rejoiced to see the Lord's 
Salvation. Holy Simeon spirit-guided 
Saw the sword that Mary s heart would pierce. 
When she should stand beside the cross whereon 
Her bright and beauteous Son was crucified. 
Should stand and see Him suffer so, the sinless 
One whom wicked men derided, crowned 
With thorns, and spat upon, nailed His hands 
And feet upon the cross of Calvary. When 
At last His spirit freed itself with a loud 
Voice He cried. Then sword was thrust in His 
Fair side 'til blood and water flowed therefrom, 
And Mary's heart was pierced as Simeon said. 
Gentle, loving mother, than whom no earthly 
Woman suffer'd more, thy son of promise 



i6o The Child of the Nations 

Died a malefactor's death, by cruel 

Crowd surround' d and no one there to help. 

Holy Mary, Mother mild, thy faith 

Helps us in Ufe's dark hours. No night of ours 

So black as this that thou didst spend upon 

Thy knees while Jesus' body in the tomb 

So silent lay, while He was preaching help 

To tortur'd spirits in the world of Shades. 

When on the third morn other Marys precious 

Spices taking to His grave, the stone 

Found rolled away, thou didst not need to see 

Th' empty tomb; already had thine eyes 

Beheld the risen Lord, Victorious One, 

Who next appeared to Mary Magdalene, 

At whose marriage feast He made the water 

Wine, as He had turned her life from earthly 

Ways to things divine. Her Lord she loved 

So well, her eyes were opened when her name 

He called; then she beheld His changed estate, 

And knew her Saviour's body glorified, 

The radiant mien which Peter, James and John 

Had seen when Jesus on the Mount with Moses 

And Elias talked. ^^ The risen body 

Different, yet like the one of clay. 

Many saw; yet those who could not see 

Believed not, e'en though through closed doors 

He passed, showed His nail prints, let them touch 

His wounded side. For forty days on earth 

He stayed, appearing many times to one 

Or more, in body of the resurrection. 



Rome i6i 

Then, O wondrous light! He grew more bright, 
More luminous, and floated upward out 
Of sight; while angels, who with men were watching 
Spoke to Jesus' sad disciples, telling 
Them their Lord had gone to heaven, a place 
To prepare as He had promised them. 
That where He was they too should be when they 
Had put on immortality. 
While the Son of Righteousness with midday splendour 
In Syria conquer'd, very low the clouds hung over 
Rome, for love was chain'd, and lust was loos'd. No more 
Cornelia's noble race, so proud in consciousness 
Of motherhood; no more Calpurnias who with visions 
Clear might warn their lords, but women full of evil 
Machinations. Murderous to the core were those 
In highest places. Could the son of Livia be 
Other than he was? We needs must pity one 
With such an heritage, reared in lap of lust and school'd 
In fratricide, with exile self-imposed, his wreck 
Of manhood hid on Capri's rocky shore; there ruled 
By crafty Sejanus, who caus'd th' death of many 
Innocent ones ere his ignominious death 
He met. He poison'd stately Agrippina's mind. 
When with the Emperor she dined, augmenting the 
Dislike Tiberias bore Augustus' grandchild. So 
Her request for marriage honorable he refused. 
Soon in exile this exotic feminine flower 
Of Rome was starved to death; yet happier thus than living 
To see her daughter slain by son's command, the cruel 
Nero, third to sit upon the throne, by madness 



i62 The Child of the Nations 

Driven desperate deeds to do. This madness was 

A form of that disease which flows for generations 

In the blood of those from sinfid men descended, 

And comes into the brains of kings when women of 

Th' foremost rank lead lives lascivious; for from 

Mother does the man his mental tendencies 

Inherit. Rais'd to power imperial while a boy, 

Cruelty with mother's milk imbibing ^ passions 

Unrestrained, for monstrosity Nero in name 

Stands in limelight of the past. 

That sect among the Jews, nam'd Christians, with insatiate 

Cruelty, for the amusement of a degraded populace, 

Were horribly tortur'd. Peter, th' great Apostle, finding 

Himself unable to shield his little flock, to their 

Entreaties yield'd to save himself. Wlaile fleeing along 

Th' Appian way, he saw impress 'd upon the soft 

Volcanic granite, footprints turn'd towards Rome. 

He stoop'd and kiss'd th' mystic marks, and bless'd th' 

Lord 
For pointing out the way; then slowly his steps retrac'd 
Soon to meet a martyr's death. 

Now o'er Peter's tomb a great dome rises where countless 
Devotees the toe of his stone image kiss; 
While footsteps of the jSIaster, harden'd into rock 
As altar-piece in far-off San Sebastian are, 
Gazed upon by skeptic tourists, or beheld 
By pilgrims lo\-ingly who for signs like these are longing, 
Yet the doors dare not unbar which th' Church has lock'd 
With keys that Christ to Peter gave as sign — the gates, 
Which priests of other cults so long had barr'd, now 



Rome 16,3 

Shoiild \jt opened to let His sheep vdtliin the pasture. 

Not with footmarks on the sand, but Hght upon 

Th' path, and voice hke thunder from the sky, did Jesus 

Come to Paul, who then viith mighty eloquence 

Th' story of the resurrection told in Syria, 

Greece, and Macedon. WTien held in imjust bonds 

For preaching Christ, to Caesar he appeal'd, and was 

By Festus sent to Rome along with Luke and Silas, 

His co-workers. There in prison burning words 

He wrote which still are heard the wide earth o'er, and 

will 
Ring on when Rome is knovv-n no more. 
Yet by cruel king's command, this first Apostle 
To the gentiles was behead'd. As citizen 
Of Rome he might not suffer death -n-ithin the gates; 
So far out on the Ostian road the foimtains three 
We find that do attest the place where Paul's head fell, 
Bound 'roimd by fair PlautUla's veil. 
As oft in darkest night shines Sirius with more 
Than planet Hght, so Seneca shone at Rome with light 
That Hghteneth extry man when clear his mental mirror. 
On his page of precepts truth we see beyond 
Th' stoics. Deeply had he dug in that rich mine 
Open'd by Euripides, whose dramas he 
Transcribed for the Latin world. "When bj^ his heartless 
Pupn self-inflicted death was decreed, as one 
Who knows there is a Life Hereafter he met the signal. 
Soon his kinsman, gifted Lucan, suffered Hke 
Fate, for verses so superior to his own 
Nero could not brook. This noble soul in dying 



1 64 The Child of the Nations 

Lines from his sublime Pharsalia recited 

(Imputed to another)/^ showing firm belief 

In God's omnipresence and that a virtuous mind 

Is His noblest throne on earth. 

Why was Martial spar'd whose epigrams were most rare, 

The emperor's brutal taste well pleased, praising 

Th' Colosseum's horrid scenes, yet hiding th' designer's 

Name, Gaudentius, who met a martyr's death? 

Juvenal, Martial's nearest friend, with satire's swift 

Sharp sword did veil his fierce invectives, not extravagant 

We know, for from historic page of Tacitus 

We learn what Roman license and luxury were those 

days. 
By decree of soldiers, Nero's mad career 
Ended was by self-inflicted death. Then rulers 
Raised or deposed were in quick succession 
By military despotism. 
Pliny in later days description graphic gives 
Of scenes terrific which he witnessed as a lad. 
Vesuvius had groan'd, shaken th' country 'round 
About for many months to tell the men who lived 
Upon her slopes to leave. But then, as now, they little 
Heeded nature's warnings. When at last fierce flames 
Burst from mountain top, and cloud of smoke the sky 
Obscured, some preferr'd th' sea to earth in such 
Distress. But tidal waves, which ever in the wake 
Of heavy quake will follow, engulfed their tiny crafts, 
While hot lava swiftly down the mountain flowed. 
Covering cities at its base. The naturalist, 
Th' Elder Pliny, perished watching this phenomenon. 



Rome 165 

His nephew's letters tell the tale, and also give 
Us most dehghtful scenes from country life enjoy'd 
By men and women of fine taste and culture, who 
Were guests at his Liburnian and his Tuscan villas — 
Life quite unlike that which Juvenal decries. 
We learn from Pliny's page of Trajan's clemency, 
Foreign ruler, first of Rome, who greatest limits 
Gave the empire; in whose reign and that of his 
Adopted son, the Spanish Hadrian, learning is 
Again encourag'd. Now the Greek philosopher 
Plutarch comes to Rome. Like Seneca, for men 
And women equal virtue he demand'd. Th' worship 
Of Isis he explained, ^^ brought to Rome in Sulla's 
Day, the importance showing for the reverence 
Of motherhood. The heavenly host that mediate, 
Spirits freed from bodily bondage that do God's 
Service, Plutarch saw, and oracles explained. 
Through his influence Delphi was restor'd though Pythia's 
Voice was silent, for Hadrian found a peasant girl 
Upon the tripod when this shrine he visited. Much 
Attracted by the eastern occultism, he spent 
Little time at Rome, yet hither sent rare treasures 
For his Tivoli villa from Egypt, Greece and Syria, 
Which to us still speak of his great taste for art. 
Hadrian chose for his successor Antoninus, 
Pius call'd because of his benevolent, peaceful 
Reign; who show'd his greatest wisdom in adopting 
Verus and Domitia's son Aurelius, 

The consummate flower of Roman manhood, 
Who from his mother mental poise and moral 



i66 The Child of the Nations 

Strength partook. From her he learn'd that evil 

Thought pernicious is as evil deed. 

From father and grandfather he inherited 

Modesty, perseverance, manliness. 

Temper mild and lack of all vainglory. 

Among the many men of character who 

Helped to form the judgment of this prince, 

Th' stoic Rusticus stands first. He taught 

Simplicity in all the acts of life; 

Benevolence without display; to offenders 

Easy reconcilement; never to be 

Satisfied with any superficial 

Understanding of a book. For his 

Good teachers and good kinsman Aurelius 

Thanked th' gods, but specially did praise 

Them that he was able his virginity 

To keep. Like Paul he knew the value of 

Deferring proof of his virihty," gathering 

Strength by not parading manhood. Also 

He thanked th' gods for temperate keeping him 

In mind as well as body, giving him 

Desire to aid and leisure right to do. 

By admonitory dreams he oft 

Instructed was, and felt the providence 

Of God, which Plutarch says is minist'ring angels.^* 

Aurelius did fully feel that all 

Members of one body are, as said 

Xenophon in th' Memorabilia. 

Therefore warfare contrary to his nature 

Was. In camp he still preserv'd his peaceful 



Rome 167 

Mien, and daily wrote his meditations 

Beautiful on life and death. His soul 

Was so awaken'd that he knew what men 

Call death is but the walking from one house 

To another, the putting off the clay 

For the robe of light. 

Th' character of this most noble man 

More lustre gives to Rome than all the temples. 

Towers, and palaces upon her seven 

Hills: The Palatine where Romulus 

Built his infant walls, the Capitoline, 

Th' Quirinal by Sabine kings annexed, 

Th' Aventine by Marcius once claimed, 

Th' Celian, th' Esquiline so long Etruscans 

Held, at length the city set beside 

Th' Tiber joined, last Janiculum 

Included in the circuit of her walls 

By Antonius Marcus Aurelius. 

There now the pious pilgrim goes to kneel 

At Peter's shrine or stops to note the nameless 

Stone o'er Beatrice Cenci's grave;^^ 

Then when the sun is setting, gazes on 

Th' ruins of what was once the capital of 

Th' world, and with Aurelius perceives 

That matter is in flux, so why regard 

Th' dissolution of the elements or 

Be apprehensive? Nothing can be wholly 

Evil that is natural. Man possesses 

That which th' world phenomenal transcends. 

If he but cultivates within his breast 



1 68 The Child of the Nations 

Th' spark divine; he can, when driven forth 

From one body, life renew. 
Just as Constantine transferr'd th' Roman power 
To Byzantium, a man can in another 
Tabernacle preserve his life, his loves, his light. 



CANTO IX 
Spain 

Had not Africanus lived many times before he came to Rome, 
the gods would not have chosen him when only 

Twenty-four years old to lead their country's forces into Spain. 
That Scipio was old in spirit, though in earth 

Years young, is attested by his power of interpreting dreams and 
hearing th' inner voice. Thus led, an easy task was th' 
taking 

Of Saguntum. Carthaginia's power o'erthrown, 
Th' towns along the coast secure, the Romans pushed 
Their way into th' interior of th' Iberian 
Peninsula; built roads and walls and amphitheatres; 
Roman laws and customs introduced; and 
Conciliated th' people who were a strange conglomerate, 
Turanians from Persia, dwelling here from time 
Remote, Iberians of Greek descent who gave 
To the land their name before the Roman rule. 
Of that cultured, wicked race th' Atlantides^ 
A few who had escap'd that fearful tempest which 
Swept the land from 'neath their feet. 
Scipio's policy was gentle and humane; 
He gained the esteem of those he conquer 'd; and had he 
So willed, King of Spain he easily might have been. 
Different quite the warfare was in Caesar's day. 
Hunting Pompey's legions, the Iberians 
He devastated, making slaves of those opposing 

169 



lyo The Child of the Nations 

Him. As Roman province, called Hispania now, 

She in importance grew, and yield'd not only great 

Stores of silver from her mines, but poets and 

Philosophers from her people. Moral Seneca 

And Lucan both were Spanish born, and three of Rome's 

Emperors^ came from this rich soil. 

When the western world Rome ceas'd to rule, the Goths 

Swept destruction on this land as hurricane 

Tears the tassell'd corn; yet on these ruins a kingdom 

Built, with many temples fair and castles strong. 

And put their nerve and sinew into what was fast 

Becoming a degenerate race. 

No one disputed th' Goths' right to rule Hispania 

For full three centuries. Then came from Afric's shore 

Tarik with his Moors. For seven days the battle 

Rag'd, and Roderick was slain. Then onward marched 

Th' Moors, Toledo, beautiful city of th' Gothic 

Kingdom, taking. Soon the southern towns were all 

Theirs, while Goths and Romans fled to th' mountains of 

Asturia or into Galicia. Now Spain 

Became a province of the Saracen empire, ruled 

By the Caliph at Damascus, 'til an Arab 

Leader,^ strong enough to form a Caliphate, 

At Cordova arose; which was in time a centre 

Of culture and civilization as Athens had 

Been of old. As palms and tropical plants in sunny 

Andalusia thriv'd, brought hither to adorn 

Th' Caliph's garden, so did oriental learning 

Flourish in this Moorish kingdom. 

Th' Spaniards grew more hardy in their northern homes, 



Spain 



171 



And could easily have expelled the more luxurious 
Arab had they been united. But with one 
Another Leon, Castile, Aragon, and Navarre 
Warred, when united by marriage were disrupted 
Again by wars or divided by the death of kings. 
Whose realm portion'd was between their sons and daughters ; 
Thus petty kingdoms took the place of central power. 
One Sancho of Castile was by assassins stabbed. 
This deed was witnessed from afar by one 
Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar, who said 
In war all fair must be; his sovereign fallen 
Through perfidy, Le Mio Cid ere he 
Would serve Alphonso demanded that the King 
Swear he had no part in this base act. 
His Highness angered banished from Castile 
The champion of Bivar, the Bearded One, 
Who swore by saints and dreamed of them and made 
A bishopric for Jerome, when by much patient 
Toil and stratagem Valencia he 
Had taken. Though an exile, royal gifts 
Of Saracenic spoils the Campeador 
Sent Alphonso : horses richly laden. 
Scimitars tied to their sides, which from 
Th' Moors he'd taken, whom he killed by 
Th' dozen with his blade, the wonderful Tizon; 
For with Herculean strength and courage rare 
Th' good brave Cid brought terror to his foes, 
But succor to his friends. 
His lovely wife Ximena, happy only 
When her lord was near, two charming daughters, 



172 The Child of the Nations 

Phrenia and Cordena, bore to him 
Who first were married to th' Infantas of Carrion 
And were by them most basely treated, but 
Afterwards were wedded to the princes 
Of Navarre and Aragon, becoming 
Thus the mothers of Kings. 
With royal splendor the brave Campeador 
At Burgos was interred. 
Of all the heroes since the days of Troy 
No one of such gigantic mould we see 
As Rodrigo the Cid, with Gothic strength, 
Roman bravery, Iberian grace 
And wit, Turanian intrigue combining, 
Charming both to men and women, called 
By all the Perfect One, concerning whose 
Life and deeds have many songs been sung; 
Yet this brave one's praise shall cease not while 
Tongues there are to speak or pens to write 
The lives of earth's great sons. 
Though no more heroes of gigantic mould to Spain 
Came, yet new blood was infused, in that Eleanor 
Of Albion* bride of Alphonso of Castile became. 
Their great grand-daughter was that Eleanor of saintly 
Memory who married Edward First of England. 
Fernando, called the Saint, who was of Anglo-Spanish 
Blood, to Moorish conquest much devoted was. 
Carrying to Cordova and Seville the banner 
Of the Cross, Granada only leaving as 
A centre of the Moslem power. 
Portugal with England was allied when his 



Spain 173 

Eldest daughter John of Gaunt, ever astute, 

Married to the King; while of Castile his daughter 

Catherine queen became and grandmother of the famous 

Isabel,^ whose blonde hair and blue eyes bespoke 

Her Plantagenet blood; while other strains ancestral 

Gave that disposition which the title of 

The Catholic won for her. For with all Isabel's 

Royal good sense, warmth of heart and firmness, her 

Devotion to the Church led her to lend her power 

To many dark and cruel deeds. 

Priest and Bishops persuaded the Queen it was the will 

Of Heaven to renew the hateful Inquisition. 

Isabel's religion came first, and after that 

Her country. The cruel expulsion of the Jews she sanction'd. 

Unselfish and courageous, a devoted mother 

And wife, her chosen spouse Fernando was in no 

Way worthy of her. They together vowed perpetual 

Warfare on the Moslems. In the beautiful palace 

Of the Alhambra, they succeeded in placing th' standard 

Of the cross of Christ, the power of Granada 

Forever breaking. This to them the greatest was 

Of their achievements; but to th' world what marks their 

reign, 
Lenient making us regarding Isabel's 
Fanatical mistakes, is that she aided one 
Willing to brave the dangers of the sea to find 
A western way to India's shore. 
God's instruments are manifold, and when 
A child of His who comes here for a purpose listens 
For the guiding voice,^ and lets no gauds of earth 



174 The Child of the Nations 

Nor inclinations interfere with what he knows 

Is his work, clear will be th' way. 

Discovery was to be the child of Spain, upon 

Th' palace doorstep placed by that keen navigator 

Who, as .^neas, shipwreck and privation faced. 

Seeking the Hesperian isles where the golden 

Apples grew, yet quenched not the desire for sailing 

Unknown seas and searching for new shores, so came 

Again to earth; ambition's fire more ardently burn'd 

Than of yore. Not Delphic oracle, but his own 

Angel guide^ now told Columbus where to go 

And what to find, so that he braved th' waves, and stood 

Th' taunts and threats of disaffected sailors, sure 

Victory would be his at last. 

Discouraged by the treachery of Portugal, 

Disheartened by th' indifference of England's King, 

Delayed by doctors who infeasible declared 

His plans, Columbus southward sailed to Guinea first. 

Then northward bent his way to Iceland. When at length 

Time was ripe, Mendoza Isabel encouraged 

Help to lend, while Santangel the Jew advanced 

Money to equip three ships. 

Th' new land found, in triumph to the Spanish court 

Th' great discoverer came with treasure laden for 

Th' Queen, his friend and helper. Th' monarchs rise to greet 

Him, and bid him seated be. 

Again he sails, with Marco Polo's teachings filled. 

And thinks that Cuba is the land of Kublai Khan.^ 

Not until his voyage third did great Columbus 

Look upon the mainland of America. 



Spain 175 

Not successful he as Viceroy — for gold 

Demanded was with only slaves available — 

His fortunes now began to wane; disaster with 

Jealousy and misunderstanding was united, 

So the day-star of this great explorer's soul 

Set in dark and heavy clouds. 

In spirit of conquest next to Columbus was Gonsalvo, 

Spain's great captain, who secured for Fernando 

Th' crown of the two Sicilies. The Spanish arms 

So firmly planted on Italian soil that not 

Until the advent of the valiant Garibaldi, 

That Americo- Spanish chief, were Italy and 

Sicily freed from foreign rule. 

It was Isabel's grandson, Charles th' Emperor, 

Inheriting Holland from his father, MaximiHan's 

Son,^ with Spain and Italy from his poor, weak, much 

Misunderstood queen Mother, Joan, call'd Th' Mad, 

Imprisoned for long years because against th' religious 

Violence of her day rebelling, — that left his 

Kingdom to a son, fanatical, weak, and cruel; 

In whose reign the Netherlands were bathed in blood 

Because to Luther's teachings the Dutch had given ear. 

Roused to help her innocent, persecuted neighbors, 

England her own skill upon the sea augmented, 

While Holland suffered and grew strong through hardship and 

Warfare. Not without a shudder can we think 

Of the thousands on thousands of human sacrifices 

By blood and fire sown in the soil of Spain; yet mid 

These scenes of horror like wild grass that starts up brighter 

And thicker after burning, art and literature 



176 The Child of the Nations 

Thrived. At the number rather than th' quaHty 

Of the writings of this age are we amazed. 

Lope de Vega, soldier-poet, father of 

Th' Spanish drama, alone left over a thousand plays, 

And was honor' d in his day. 

Murillo painted a marvellous amount, so full 

Of fervor and of beauty, if not as mystical 

Or complex as those from the master Velasquez' hand. 

Saint Theresa, full of visions yet with practical 

Good sense, wrote rapturously of the profit of 

Poverty and the grace of humihty; while her pupil 

Juan de Cruz left much religious amatory verse. 

Everything in this day was in numbers large; 

Five wives had the King; his third bride was th' beautiful 

Brilliant daughter of Catherine de Medici, 

Who reluctantly did her mother's bidding. Much 

Beloved was this sweet young Isabel of the Peace. 

She left no heir, and Philip sought alliance with 

Austria by marriage with his niece who bore 

To him a sickly son. Though sanction'd by the Popes 

At Rome, this incest of the kings gave imbeciles 

And lunatics to sit upon the throne of Spain. 



CANTO X 
England 

'Twas not indignation consequent upon the death of Mary, 
Queen of Scots, nor just resentment for the treatment 

Of Catherine of Aragon, that fired Philip with such zeal to fight 
the English, hut pique that Elizabeth 

Refused to marry him. With ships top-heavy like the monarch's 
head, th' Invincible Armada gave sport to English sailors, 

Who aided by a storm dispersed the Spanish ships, 
Which sail'd from Lisbon under patronage of saints 
With Papal benediction. After this the EngHsh 
Ne'er by Spanish were molested. 
These efforts on the seas, these naval victories, 
Though so easily won, did stir the pulses of 
Th' nation towards a greater goal; her scatter'd forces 
Helped to unite; and made of Englishmen 
One in love of home and liberty. 
Later than Italy or France to come out of 
Th' dark night of the Middle Ages, when she did 
Awake, her sun resplendently shone. But, as at sunrise 
Snaky clouds the horizon oft surround, so when 
Albion's light was first increasing, reign'd a monarch 
Who at will divorced or beheaded wives. 
Cajoled th' people whom convince he could not; used 
Th' inordinate ambition of a man^ 
Aspiring to the Papal crown to further his 
Selfish ends; then cast him as a garment worn 

177 



lyS The Child of the Nations 

Aside, and raised to highest ministerial power 

Conscientious Thomas More, who soon his head 

Lost because he would not sanction all the king's 

Evil doings. Though a selfish, bestial monarch, 

Henry was an instrument in the hand of Time, 

Whose crimes his country helped free. 

Three of Henry's children sat upon the throne: 

Edward, in whose reign emerged Protestantism 

From out the thraldom of Rome;^ sweet, meek, misguided 

Mary^ 
Rul'd by Spanish fanatics, and Elizabeth, daughter 
Of Anne Boleyn, whose reign was not less bloody than that 
Of Catherine's daughter. Yet she stands upon a pedestal 
Created for her by priests and poets of her day. 
The Fairy Queen of Spenser's fadeless epic, firm 
Defender of the faith of many martyrs, with 
Diplomacy overflowing, hedged by courtiers willingly 
Swayed by the gentle hand of woman, this 
Queen has given her name to Albion's brightest day. 
There was Sidney, brave and beautiful, grandson of 
That Northumberland who vainly strove to place 
Ill-fated Jane upon the throne ; 
There was Herrick, whose sweet melodies are still 
Heard the wide world o'er; and Bacon, prophet of 
Th' new philosophy. Yet neither sonnets, lyrics, 
Nor inductive science gave the glory to this 
Age, but th' drama, which a portrait gives of these 
Stirring times drawn in imperishable colors. 
The dramatists were neither priests, who must give moral 
Or scriptural scenes, nor politicians afraid to paint 



England 179 

Men's faults, nor courtiers bound by rules laid down 

By kings. The English dramatists were men of middle 

Class, to think and act quite free as suited them ; 

Or if of high estate they wrote in strict seclusion. 

No longer were tragedian and playwright always one; 

Bacon and Raleigh work'd indeed, but never trod 

Th' boards; while Decker, Drummond, Beaumont, Fletcher, 

Jonson 
And many more wrote plays, who found a Garrick or 
In after days a Siddons to act th' parts they had 
Conceived. Shakespeare alone the talent of writer and 
Protagonist as of old combined. 

O mighty heart that felt the throb of myriad 

Pulses less than thine, that held within 

Its chamber walls the loves and fears and hopes 

Of many men and maids both high and low ! 

Thy brain did weave the web of various lives, 

Whose destinies were fraught with liveliest interest. 

On thy pictur'd page we see all passions. 

Heroic deeds and crimes that human ilesh 

Inherits. Whence came this great soul of thine. 

Able so much to comprehend of all 

That's rarest, all that's intimate in life? 

Why should thy unletter'd muse to zenith 

Float in multicolor'd robes, while Hours 

Th' gate of heaven open to thy gaze. 

As of old they swung to Hera's chariot; 

While with diadem the Fates thee crown'd? 

O bard of Avon! say how camest thou? 

Not claiming god-descent, of virgin priestess 



i8o The Child of the Nations 

Nor of princess born, yet godlike, priestlike, 

Kinglike in thy powerful wielding of 

Th' tragic rod, which turn'd to trident in 

Thy hand. Melpomene, ThaHa, Clio, 

Unfold to us the secret of thy magic 

Power. Many lives of pain and many 

Penalties for lives of gain misused 

Must thou have had ere conscious life develop'd 

Scope, so by thy will alone thou could'st 

Incarnate where the brain quite adequate 

Was found. So passing from one form, without 

The need of heaven or hell, thou camest from 

Italy to England, found a village 

Lad with healthful body, born of sturdy 

Undegenerate stock, with spirit hence 

In sleep departing, thou this house of clay 

Didst enter and the past forget, that in 

Th' present thou mightest work. Then tragic seed 

Th' mighty ^schylus did sow in that 

Fertile brain, while Livy lent his vast 

Historic wealth, and Kalidassa brought 

Gifts of rare romantic pastoral verse^ 

Such as Marlowe had but sipped, which 

With natural wit thou seasoned'st, so that even 

Rare Ben Jonson found no fault withal. 

While many poets strove thy matchless style 

To steal, who erst in other age had shone. 

Thou knew'st why the mother's tear so moved 

Brave Coriolanus, why Miranda 

Slept that Prospero by Paracelsus' 



England 



I8l 



Art might call the spirits to his aid, 
And mystify the uninitiate. 
Thou Othello's jealous madness, which 
All too late brought agony of soul, 
Did'st paint with carmine dye. The anguish keen 
Of thankless ofifspring, knew'st with Albion's king 
Who gave his all, then felt the pelting storm 
As beggars feel it through their rags, and rage 
That heaven is not just, resigning their 
Inheritance as Lear his land to vassals. 
Like the Polar star, great father of 
So many suns from regions far beyond 
Our ken, thou art fed and fix'd in firmament 
A constant torch to lighten minds made ready 
For thy word as long as earth shall last. 
Th' next great light in poetry's world was Milton. Coming 
In a moral volcanic age, he saw the dangers 
Incident to such religious fire, saw what 
Puritanic zeal was leading to, yet dared 
Not openly declare his views, so set them forth 
In fine satiric strain.^ Heroic verse immortal 
Holds in vivid colors those crude doctrines which 
Seem'd to him absurd. He dreamed not in his 
Inimitable imagination that the world 
Would be so long in seeing that his great didactic 
Epic was satirical. He little thought 
That Paradise Lost would almost be a Bible to 
Several succeeding ages. 

Milton mourn'd that he was born an age too late, 
Yet never poet had such prince to honor him 



1 82 The Child of the Nations 

As Milton had in Cromwell, great soul, in whose veins 

Cours'd the blood of that indigenous race so strong. 

Tall and dark, which side by side develop'd with 

A smaller, darker race. These two primaeval peoples 

For a time possess'd th' fair isle, named Albion 

In early day for Alba, famous king who govern'd 

Both these races of the soil before the Finns 

Found their way from Norway across the Northern Sea, 

And drove the peaceful Albions west and north, while they 

In turn were conquer'd by strong Keltic tribes who crossed 

From Brittany, settling first far south but gradually pressing 

Into the interior, driving th' Albions to Wales 

And the Finns still further west to th' island called. 

After one of their important tribes, Iberia; 

From thence some of these Iberians pass'd to Iceland; 

There undisturb'd evolv'd, and left in simple lays 

A record of their hopes and beliefs. 

On Dover's white cliffs landing, Caesar found the same 

Keltic people he in Gaul had conquered. They 

So wholly by this time the island did possess, 

Th' Romans thought them the original people of 

This land, and call'd their land Britain after good 

Brit, the greatest of their tribal leaders. Ere 

Th' Romans came, these Britons were a stock much mixed; 

For while each successive contest wiped out 

Or made slaves of most of th' men, the conquerors then. 

As in Roman days, the wives and daughters of 

Th' conquer'd married. So although the Caesar called 

Them Britons, they who now their blood with Romans mixed 

Were Keltic, Finnish, Albion. This last name we use 



England 183 

For lack of better to denote those early races 

Who evolved side by side ere the Phoenician 

Pass'd th' pillars of Herakles, or Fortinbras 

With his Finns from Norway sailed, which was long 

Before the Kelts the channel crossed. 

After a bloody but unequal contest waged 

In Wales and Anglessey, where priest and people were 

Sacrificed upon their altars, Roman generals 

A terrific outburst met of patriotic rage 

From th' Iceni, whose King Prosutag th' kingdom 

Had bequeathed to the Romans. But the Queen 

And her daughters, outrag'd by the Roman ofiicers. 

Appealed to their people; Amazonian Queen 

Boadicea drove her chariot midst the troops, 

Who slaughter'd seventy thousand Romans. 

Later these brave Britons fell in tragic numbers 

Before the better disciplin'd Roman cohorts. Now 

For several centuries Romans rul'd in Britain as 

Easily as in any province. 

Agricola, great and good, as Prefect of the Isle 

In famous battle drove the Caledonians north. 

Severus later tried to exterminate them. 

But died ere he had conquer'd. The land by Scots and 

Painted 
Scots, or Picts, was nearly devastated when 
Th' Spanish general Theodosius, father of 
Th' Roman Emperor of that name, with strong hand drove 
Th' cruel and relentless Caledonians northward. 
Confining them beyond the Grampian hills. These triumphs 
Were renewed by StiHcho. This was the last 



The Child of the Nations 



Struggle made by Rome to resist th' barbarians in 

Britain. Now their arms were busy fighting Gothic 

Alaric, or the formidable Huns who under 

Attila were the scourge of God. 

Landing in the ancient territory of the Regni, 

Ella and three sons the Britons defeat'd with great 

Slaughter. Hearing of his victories, other Saxons 

Sail'd to Albion. Cerdic with son Cymric came 

To Hampshire, where the Avon still holds its Keltic name. 

By Cymric's men brave Geraint, Ella's son, was slain; 

Knight of th' "Table Round" he gain'd the hand of Yniol's 

Gentle daughter whom the people called Enid 

The Good. Her faded silk the queen did change for bridal 

Robe like unto th' sun when Geraint rode with her 

Into Damnonia; where Arthur, son of Uther 

And Ygerne, at Camelot dwelt (in castle builded by 

Th' wizard Merlin ere his power Vivien stole. 

Whose great, white towers were oft in clouds encircled while 

Lightnings played upon them, yet, when clear the sky, 

Towering heavenwards they stood like ghosts, their glittering 

Turrets seen afar), surrounded by brave knights 

Who help'd him thrust the heathen from the Roman walls, 

Kill the giants, aid the weak and right the wrong, 

And for good deeds the strong make stronger. 

The highest enterprise the knights essayed was 

To see the Holy Grail. Though many suffer'd in 

This quest, but three the chalice saw, and felt the flame 

Which rises when the life is pure and soul aspires: 

Sir Galahad, Sir Bors — he 'twas saw seven stars — 

And Perceval, strong and brave, who ever virgin was. 



England 185 

To one the cup appear 'd but veiled; for, despite 

Great strength and zeal, his heart unlawful love enfolding, 

He might not see the light of grail. 

Gareth in disguise, tall son of Lot and Bellicent, 

Serv'd the king as kitchen knave that he might see 

Th' jousts. Here Tristram, imitative and inventive, 

Of ready wit, who loved Isolde, died by sword, 

Thrust through by Mark, her Cornish lord. 

Here was Gawain with prodigious memory, brave 

In war; the fair but false Ettare he loved, and was 

To Pelleas untrue, who suffering learned th' truth. 

He saw the living fire within the grass, and knew 

Lust from Love, and that a harlot's house did less 

Harm than sin in places high. The sullying of 

The Queen such bad example set throughout the land; 

Because a warrior bold and brave, it more unseemly 

Was that Launcelot should live a lie. Had he 

But lov'd th' Hly Maid of Astolat she had 

Not died of broken heart; nor had King Arthur's wife 

In fit of jealousy cast the wondrous jewels which 

He had won into the flood before the barge 

That bore the body of Elaine; nor Guinevere 

Been wounded by the pratthng maid, nor scorn'd by Arthur 

And left to die as Abbess of Almesbury, while 

To the end her lord was true to her, and died 

Fighting for the right, his great Excalibur giving 

To Belvidere at last to cast into the lake. 

Many legends 'round him grew, and some would have 

It he had mystic birth and death, and would return 

In days to come and Britain rule again. His spirit 



1 86 The Child of the Nations 

Lives in Wessex yet, the third of those great Saxon 

Kingdoms out of which so many rulers came 

Who all the blood of Cerdic claim. 

Sussex's greatness lasted not beyond the days 

Of the first Bretwalda Saxon Ella. Soon 

Th' middle kingdom merg'd in Mercia, while the greatest 

Of the Angle kingdoms, Northumberland, by King 

Ida found'd, extended northward from the Humber, 

And included Edinboro. Egbert Atheling, 

Of the blood of Cerdic, brought all the Angle kingdoms 

Under his power, and Rex Anglorum styled himself. 

Th' petty kings assembled each his own wise men, 

And ruled his state, but all to Egbert vassals were. 

Yet midst this glory evil threaten' d, for the Danes 

Came again and again; and only the valiant 

Alfred the Great, hero, law-giver, scholar, saint, 

Together with his wise advisor Asser of Wales, 

Kept them for a time at bay. 

By this time great numbers of Danes had settl'd in England. 

Olaus Magnus, Norwegian-Finnish leader, lent 

Aid to th' people who bravely fought, deposing a king 

Who would buy their good will, or when failing to hire 

Peace would order wholesale murder. Th' Princess Gunhilde, 

Sister of the Danish King, was kill'd in massacre 

Of St. Bride. Her brother then to conquer England 

Vowed or perish in the struggle, whose son Cnut 

Annex'd the island to his Scandinavian Empire, 

Four earls appointing as officials of the highest 

Class to rule in England. More than birth fidehty 

Counted. These great earldoms of Cnut's reign 



England 187 

Were a near approach to th' feudal system, affecting 

Th' history of the next half-century. 

Th' Danish conquest soon was followed by the Norman. 

William, with the sanction of the Papal See, 

With rehc ring and consecrated banner, supported 

By the strategic Hildebrand, Archdeacon of 

Th' Church at Rome, made men the worse cause think the 

better. 
With a band of bribed bold adventurers at Hastings 
And at Stamford Bridge he Harold overthrew, 
Whom the English Witenagemot had chosen king. 
Thus became the famous conqueror. 
Two sons succeeded William, then the son of his 
Daughter Adela, Stephen of Blois, whose miserable reign 
Pav'd th' way for Henry, son of Matilda, who 
Had more hereditary right; though th' English crown 
Was still elective, th' centralizing and restraining 
Power used by Henry welcome was. This first 
Angevin King, Plantagenet called from his father's 
Habit of wearing blue broom blossoms, married Eleanor 
Of Acquitaine, extending thus his empire to 
Th' Pyrenees. Defining the relation between 
Church and State, his courtier Becket he appointed 
To the chair of Augustine; but he, refusing 
To promise that the Church should to the State submit, 
Was murdered by four royal knights at Canterbury, 
Who unwittingly made of him a saint and martyr. 
Richard ruled and retained his father's realm. 
Th' weakling John his foreign inheritance mostly lost, 
Yet became the unwilling benefactor of 



The Child of the Nations 



Th' nation by signing Magna Charta. 

Edward First, the English Justinian, scarcely less 

Religious was than Cnut's son-in-law, th' Confessor, 

For whom he was named, happy in having a subject 

Who a true son was of his adopted country, 

Though an alien born. In leading th' barons' war 

Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, yielded his 

Castles before requiring others to give up theirs. 

With Montfort's idea of representative government 

Th' King was in accord, and summon'd burghers along 

With bishops, knights and abbots to levy taxes to fill 

Th' purse, made empty by the crusade in aid of Knights 

Templars, which was th' last of those fanatical 

Religious wars by European princes waged 

Against the Turks in Palestine. 

Later Edward fought the fierce Llywelyn, Wales 

Subjugating. Scotland to enthrall he failed; 

Although on an EngHsh scaffold Wallace perished, Bruce 

After Bannockburn the Scottish throne secured. 

Edward Third it was whose brilliant victories 

At Crecy and Calais made France for a time a province 

Of England. He it was who instituted the great 

Order of the Garter, giving a feast at Windsor 

To the Knights. Then for a time the arts of peace 

Took the place of th' arts of warfare; and the EngHsh 

Tongue, a mixture of the German, Latin, French 

And Keltic, first took form on th' page of poet Chaucer; 

While the Hebrew Scriptures were put into the language 

Of the people by Wyckliffe, which th' genius of 

Caxton, a century later, made available for 



England 189 

Th' poor and the unlearned man. 
Not yet had England assimilated her various races; 
So when not fighting abroad, at home was ferment. Now 
Two of Edward's three grandsons, Long John of Gaunt, 
And son of th' beloved Black Prince, claim'd th' throne. 
With them began the War of th' Roses, which famous struggle 
Between the houses of York and Lancaster ended on 
Bosworth field, when fell the wicked Richard, who 
Had basely murder'd th' Kttle princes in th' tower. 
Then Henry Tudor, illegitimately related 
To royalty on th' maternal side, the throne ascend'd. 
His queen was Elizabeth, daughter of the fourth 
Edward; thus were the roses white and red united. 
Their daughter Margaret to the ill-fated Marie Stuart 
Was grandmother, whose son wore both th' Scottish and 
The EngHsh crowns. But that of which he boasted most 
He had least of, kingcraft; and he held Plantagenet 
Superstition that birth confers some rights anterior 
To and unalterable by law. 

Had Charles' head been sever'd sooner, less honest blood 
Would have dyed the soil of England, on whose glorious 
Meadows sweet wild flowers every year to us 
Speak of nameless graves where many champions. of 
Freedom lie. The dauntless Hampden all too soon 
Upon the field of battle died a hero's death. 
While Pym and EHot with others fought on; strengthen'd hj 
His example men of conscience cowed men 
Of meaner mould, and Nature's noblemen more majestic 
Proved than those born princes and prelates. Oliver 
Cromwell 



I go The Child of the Nations 

Led his famous Ironsides from victory on 

To victory, fighting in the name of th' Lord of Hosts; 

Those who would not suffer themselves to be by law 

Govern'd were quelled by the sword; and he who brought 

Order out of chaos was recognized as 

Protector. Though without the hated name of king, 

Cromwell rul'd more absolutely than any prince 

Who ever sat upon the British throne, and dying 

Will'd the kingdom to his son. 

More like his illustrious father had Richard been, 

Th' nation to another Stuart rule had ne'er 

Submitted. Yet the utter worthlessness and bigotry 

Of Charles Second disenchanted those who fain 

Would make a martyr of his father. The son as ignoble 

Was as false the father. But, dreading rulers raised 

To power by fickle soldiers, th' people join'd th' Scottish 

Troops, when Monk to London marched. 

More honest than his father or his brother, James, 

Duke of York, surround'd by harlots, none as pretty, 

Bright or saucy as Nell Gwynne, so tried th' protestant 

Spirit of the time that it exceeded loyalty 

To the throne, and produc'd a second revolution 

Which end'd arbitrary monarchy. 

The new administration was establish'd without 

Bloodshed, save in Ireland where 'round James the Second 

Th' Catholics rallied, but defeated were at Boyne 

And Londonderry by that William, wise, heroic 

Prince of Orange who had helped the Dutch resist 

Louis Quartorze before he was invited to rule 

Jointly with the Princess Mary. 



England 191 

One more Stuart by an act of settlement wore 

Th' English crown, grand-daughter of the Earl of Oxford, 

Th' famous Clarendon; daughter of James and Mary's 

sister; 
Anne, in whose reign were united Saint George's and 
Saint Andrew's crosses on the British flag, whose very 
Weakness was her strength, has given her name to one 
Of the shining epochs in English literature. 
Critical poetry and translation classical, which 
In the century previous with Dryden and Cowley 
Started, now found in Pope an able second, whose 
FeUcity of phrase has given us many proverbs. 
Prose attain' d its growth beneath the pen of Addison, 
Inimitable preacher, whose lightest playful fancy 
Makes him morahst rare. Among his famous friends 
Were Jonathan Swift, who with a fertile imagination 
Satire combined, and Samuel Johnson, practical novelist, 
With Mary Montague, writer of wisdom gained in 
Th' East. DeFoe begins the novel. Science takes 
A leap under Newton. Nor is th' Church, with Wesley and 
Atterbury, silent. Over the reign of th' last 
Of th' Stuarts was shed a suffused prosaic light. 
Once again the blood of Cerdic, flowing in 
Foreign lands, with German and Italian stock 
Mingling, comes to th' British throne; Sophia's son 
Wore the crown while Robert Walpole ruled th' state 
And warr'd with Bolingbroke. Throughout the Georgian era 
Th' Enghsh princes rul'd, though kings from Hanover were. 
Th' Elder Pitt, intrepid, eloquent, honest, whom Tories 
ExtoU'd and Whigs obey'd, conciliated George, 



192 The Child of the Nations 

Domineer'd over the House, by th' people was 
Ador'd, and by all Europe admir'd. 
Hume and Gibbon brilliantly record the past. 
Berkeley and Locke into th' future peer. Th' Herschels 
Search the sky and find another planet.® Watts 
Builds his engine. Cowper and Goldsmith write, and wait 
For fame. McPherson unearths th' Finnish poet Ossian. 
The younger Pitt, the great reformer, learning from 
Adam Smith the principles of free trade, applies 
Them, and understanding the menace of Ireland unites 
Th' kingdoms three in a single representative system. 
After losing th' American colonies 
England the necessity of conciliation 

Learn'd, which Edmund Burke and Charles Fox, peace- 
loving 
Quaker, long had striven for. 
In successive generations th' New World had 
Been visit'd by Englishmen, since John and Sebastian Cabot, 
Aid'd by funds from Henry Seventh, had explored 
Th' coast of North America. 

Th' Quakers call'd their colony after William Penn. 
Though to the scenic Hudson the Dutch came first, the 

Enghsh 
Chang'd New Amsterdam to New York. The Puritans, 

though 
Residing last in Holland, gave their rocky shore 
Th' name New England. Often these staunch statesmen 

found 
Their way as steep and rough as tinker-preacher Bunyan's 
Imaginary Christian. Though they loved their 



England 193 

Mother country, fought for her against the Indians 

And the French, and long delayed to claim their rights, 

There came a day when. Justice balancing in the scales 

Against Injustice, strife arose, an internecine 

War, and Liberty was conceived. 

As in the individual life upon the loss 

Of power blessings wait, a nation from defeat 

Wisdom gains. New England now perforce reHnquished, 

At home were greater efforts toward improvement made. 

To reform was William not opposed, while 

His niece, the good Victoria Guelph, desir'd it greatly. 

What a kaleidoscopic century is the one 

Just past, in whose morning hours the song of Keats, 

Shelley, Coleridge, Burns, Tom Moore and Byron, Lamb's 

Plaintive homely humor, Jeffery's nature note. 

Brougham's reviews, were mingled with the sound of guns 

And drums from th' battle of the Nile, or Nelson's dying 

Victory at Trafalgar, which th' lions Landseer 

Moulded^ ever keep in memory. 

While the government under the rule of imperious Peel 

Reformed criminal law, effected Catholic 

Emancipation and just corn laws, Erastian Peel, 

Lacking prescience, was alike impervious 

To the bigotry of Protestantism or 

Th' leaven of th' Oxford movement; which despite 

His views widen'd into th' Anglican Revival 

Led by th' treble cord, poetic Keble, prudent 

Pusey and aggressive Newman. 

In the noonday-time Imperialism held sway 

Alternately with Paternalism. Vivacious, eloquent. 



194 The Child of the Nations 

Self-sacrificing Gladstone, often misunderstood, 

Helped make a broader Catholic spirit in 

Th' land. His just reforms were all that Ireland needed. 

Parnell demanded more than England could concede, 

Hence by discord th' fruit was plucked, and still the Irish 

Discontent ferments. Th' astute, consummate strategy 

Of the Jew Disraeli placed the diadem 

Of empire on Victoria's brow, and heirs of Timour 

Bow their necks to Britain. She foxlike had 

Pursu'd her hunt, though Clive in arms and council able 

Had striven to keep th' stronger race from preying on 

Th' weaker; while Hastings, though impeached by jealous 

patriots, 
Fearlessly advanced his country's arms. Ambitious, 
Bold, at times unjust and cruel, especially in 
His unequal war upon the fair Rohillas, 
And the spoliation of the princesses of Ouhd, 
Yet the great prose writer^ of the century, who 
Had been eye witness of much that had perplexed th' early 
English governors in India, says that Hastings 
Did not only extend th' empire with a polity 
Equal to a Richelieu, but patronized 
Learning with th' judicious liberality of 
A Cosimo. Who better than the briUiant son 
Of Selina Mills, the friend of Hannah More, could judge 
Th' conduct of men like Clive and Hastings. 
While in India and in Africa running riot 
Was the spirit of aggrandizement, able men 
And women at home to th' vision of th' people added. 
Darwin demonstrated what Spencer thought and taught. 



England 195 

Huxley, Tyndall and other torch-bearers threw their calcium 

Light upon the timely revelation that all 

Nature in a state of evolution is; 

While in th' world of pen and pencil painting Scott, 

Thackery, Dickens, Bulwer, Austen, Eliot, th' Proctors, 

Th' Bronte sisters, th' Carlyles and th' Brownings, Southey, 

Tennyson, th' Rossettis, Patmore, Pater, Blake, 

Jowett, Nettleship,^ Dobson, Lang, Fitzgerald, Massey, 

Morris, Burne- Jones, each a note to th' chorus added 

Or a ray to th' multicolor'd canvas. Ruskin 

Increased our love of architecture, show'd us beauties 

In Reynolds, Turner, Gainsborough and a host of others. 

Teaching us to praise, not blame, that which we could 

Not understand. He ably wrote on economics. 

Seeing th' deep, deep shadows in the great life-picture. 

Th' lonely burial of Sir John Moore at Corunno; 

Th' war in the Crimea; th' wretched bombardment of 

Alexandria; the sad, sad sacrifice of brave, 

BrilHant, God-fearing Gordon at beleaguer'd Kartoum; 

Th' smouldering fire beneath the workman's servile manner; 

Th' unjust wage of disenfranchised woman; all 

Make the shadows darker than the artist wishes. 

Although a coalition Salisbury had effected 

Of conservative and liberal unionists. 

Chamberlain's new imperialism eventuated 

In the Boer War, which General Herbert Kitchener 

Ably helped to end. And now John Bull the peaceful 

Sequester'd Tibetans needlessly is disturbing, while 

Amid the sound of cannon and death-dealing shells 

From the Transvaal or the plateau of Thibet 



196 The Child of the Nations 

We hear the drums and fifes of the Salvation Army, 

As they march and sing the hymns of Isaac Watts; 

While Booth, with Wesley an spirit and the saintly Catherine^® 

By his side, is earnestly striving to end this modern 

Hundred Years War, wherein England gained all 

Of India, and the better part of Africa, as 

Easily as in other days she quietly captur'd 

A corner of France, and was content. 



CANTO XI 
France 

Sold by th' Duke of Burgundy to the English at Rouen, the 
peasant girl of Domremy, who with unexampled courage 

Had led the troops of France from victory to victory until 
Orleans and Rheims were safe and only Paris remained 

To he taken, was abandoned by those she had so faithfully 
serv'd and valiantly fought for. Then despite her tender 
years, 

Maiden grace, demeanor calm, and sweet face, was 

For witchcraft tried, burned by those mistaking saintship 

For sorcery. From this horrible fate th' ungrateful Charles 

No effort made to save her. Only in this twentieth 

Century has the march of truth made plain the visions 

And voices of this martyr'd maid,^ now hailed as Saint. 

Jeanne d'Arc stands forth a brilHant figure on the page 

Of history, the one flower of the Hundred Years 

War which strife with hardy foes a homogeneous 

Power made of France, which before had been but petty 

Fiefs and kingdoms. Even th' kingdom of the Salian 

Franks had by the sons of Clovis quarter'd been. 

And all the land left pregnable until Martel 

Put the Moors to rout at Tours, whose son received 

His crown from Rome: then began that powerful fief in 

Central 
Gaul which was in time to be the kingdom of 
Th' western Franks. Yet even in the fourth Capetian 

197 



igS The Child of the Nations 

King's time but five towns under one rule were. 

Th' crown by purchase or by force acquir'd slowly 

More fiefs, th' strength of feudal aristocracy less'ning. 

Th' Keltic peoples in the north untrammel'd yet 

Wrote songs of heroes, and told tales of earHer times, 

While in the south th' troubadours lyric love-songs made 

For Provenfe a lasting name; and this before 

Th' rise of schools, before the brilliant Abelard 

Incited men to learning, while Bernard strove 

Thought to crush, or fanatic Montfort led adventurous 

Bigots 'gainst the Albigenses. 

Philip Augustus, in whose reign the wasting fire 

And sword had crushed beautiful Provenje where Latin 

Civilization linger'd longest, accompanied 

Richard of th' Lion Heart and Barbarossa 

To the Holy Land. This war to liberate 

Th' Saviour's tomb did not his heart make soft, yet made 

Th' way for saintly Louis, who led the fourth Crusade. 

Calamitous in the extreme these Saracenic wars 

Were, yet Louis' reign remember'd still is for 

Its reconstruction of political power and justice. 

Dying in Moslem lands, no Moorish town allowed 

To receive the dust of one who fought their faith, 

This saintly King was buried in fair Sicilia, 

Whose rich soil the bones of many races covers. 

The grandson of this saintly king expell'd from France 

Th' Templars; then quarrel'd with Pope Boniface, and by 

Intrigue effected the removal of the Papal 

Residence from Rome to Avignon.^ Now began 

That succession of rival popes and antipopes. 



France 199 

Against each other thund'ring anathemas. Three popes 

Arose, pretenders to supremacy. The council 

Of Constance named a fourth, and the schism of Peter's chair 

Was at an end; yet Rome had lost its spirituality 

While Avignon held sway. Though ruled for a brief 

Space by Rienzi, who the Good Estate establish'd. 

By perpetual strife it was so weakened that 

Th' monarchs of France, who made the popes their tool, the 

way 
Found quite easy to invade and ravish beautiful 
Italy of her treasures. This was done by three 
Successive kings, ^ until there sat upon the throne 
Of France a queen of Italian birth who ruled for her 
Licentious husband and her weakling sons, and gave 
To politics, already rotten, a sinister bend. 
Catherine de Medici, a forceful woman, 
Whose reign meant death to all free thought in France, 

first with 
And then against the base, unprincipled Dukes of Guise 
Working, thought to suppress by persecution the new 
Religious movement of that day. Ambition divorced 
From heart is always cruel. Catherine's desire 
To rule no moderation knew; yet opposition 
Came, and not from ignorant serfs alone. The blood 
Of ancient Gaul was rising, that heroic stuff 
So stern that Csesar found it hard to bend. If not 
Like th' Cadmeans sprimg from dragon's teeth, at least 
A portion of the Gallic race their origin had 
From the soil. The Kelts autochthonous surely were; 
And this inheritance it was that put such vim 



200 The Child of the Nations 

Into the heart of good, brave Louis Conde de Bourbon,* 

And made Protestants of many nobles born 

And reared in the Catholic faith. 

Had not Calvin, after teaching man's right 

To liberty of thought, his flock left, and retired 

To Geneva, there for himself to make a lasting 

Name, the fighting of the few might have resulted 

Differently; but with their religious general 

In retreat, the army weaken'd. Princes and 

Captains bled for their new faith; yet their devotion 

And their lives the ruthless slaughter stayed not 

Which by selfish fanaticism had been brought on. 

There was no religious tolerance in France 

Until strategic Richeheu, no way to absolute 

Monarchy seeing without concessions, granted to 

Th' Huguenots the privilege of worship, while 

Taking their political freedom. 

Sagacious in all things, in nothing clement was 

This man, who at once was Pope and King of France 

During Louis Thirteenth's minority, whom ever 

We must remember for his purity of life. 

So different from that of his time or that of his 

Son, the self-indulgent Louis Quartorze, to whom 

Life presented but one side, th' supremacy of 

Monarchy. His wars were all for this result. 

And though the borders of France he widen'd, and his nephew 

Placed upon the throne of Spain despite his promises 

To relinquish all Maria's claims, he drained 

So persistently the treasury that France 

Was left much poorer for his reign. 



France 201 

Everything to centralization of power tended 

During the long life of this king; no thought was given 

To the provinces where peasants toiled to provide 

Tinsel for their rulers. In his heartless love 

Of display he absolutely nothing did 

To allay the suffering of his people. 

Yet unquestionably Beauty, their child, was now 

By this nation conceived. Louis' passion for 

Display, his almost insane desire for grand and costly 

Architectural effects, with furnishings rich and rare 

And splendid attire, was only second to his love 

For beautiful women. These were now produc'd in France 

In numbers great. Th' Mistress Montespan, Sevigne, 

Grignan, th' duchesses Bourgogne and LaFayette, 

Were none as beautiful as Madame Pompadour, 

Who rul'd th' weakling Louis Fifteenth a little later. 

Yet the women of the Empire made an exquisite 

Bouquet that day. The queen rose, beautiful in mind 

As well as face and form, was Maintenon, 

Who held Louis in the hollow of 

Her hand. When France was th' world, this wonderful 

Woman, sprung from lowly parents, married 

When a girl to th' crippled poet Scarron, 

When a widow glad to educate 

Th' daughters of the King, for thirty years 

Rul'd entirely th' monarch, who in all 

Europe was a majestic figure, among 

Kings a king supreme. 

Maintenon was never mistress; she 

Wisely insist'd on marriage, though not able 



202 The Child of the Nations 

To acknowledge it. Her prudery is 
Seen in her request that Racine should write 
Something for her charges more edifying 
Than Andromache, which under th' friendly 
Auspices of Moliere had lately 
Been produced. The poet for Madame 
Composed Esther, which was played by 
Amateurs at St. Cyr; but Racine had no 
Adequate interpreter until 
Th' day of th' great Rachel.^ 
Fully as selfish and a degree more weak th' successor 
Of Louis Quartorze ; while greater discontent was breeding 
In a reign so barren of achievements as 
Was that of Louis Fifteenth, whose beautiful Polish wife 
Marie Leczinsky was known chiefly as the mother 
Of numerous daughters. Now a few painters take the place 
Of th' rich galaxy of poets. No new Pleiad 
Arises who, like stars whose name they chose, were only 
Asteroids, yet bright and memorable ones; the leader 
Ronsard especially praiseworthy. No more pious 
Fenelons or Bossuets grace the court. A deist 
Takes their place, and pulpit oratory is naught 
Beside the greatest thinker of this age, Voltaire, 
Who th' corruption of th' Church was e'er denouncing. 
Always championing the oppress'd. From his retreat 
At fair Ferney near the widen'd Rhone, with view 
Of the giant, snow-rob'd mountain, where stern Calvin 
Preached and afterwards the sweet persuasive Saint 
Francis de Sales, the mighty Voltaire predicted the 
Revolution, which came like a tidal wave 



France 203 

After a great volcanic eruption; while it wash'd 

Th' shores, and carried much debris to sea, yet also 

Wrecked many innocent lives. 

Th' Empress Maria Theresa's daughter, whom the French 

Had never loved more than they had understood 

Her progressive brother Joseph, suffer'd for 

No crime greater than her folly. Sweet but vain 

Marie Antoinette, th' frail pretence of a king 

Sinning less than sinned against, with many true 

Compatriots were guillotined; while the same 

Death was for that young heroic girl, grand-niece 

Of Corneille, from Caen decreed, who was so filled 

With patriotic passion she thought that she could curb 

Th' march of the uncontrolled mob by killing one 

Leader; so like Jael of old, with word and smiles 

Insinuating, Charlotte Corday the knife did drive 

Into th' heart of monster Murat. This wretched man 

Heads no longer could demand; but thirst for blood 

Is not allayed by one sacrifice, nor is 

Equality gained by guillotine. 

As giants from the blood of Ouranos were born, 

So from the reign of terror came forth a military 

Genius. France in desperation threw herself 

Into the arms of th' giant general. First she made 

Napoleon consul with three others; as with that first 

Triumvirate at Rome the power was centered all 

In one. The mighty Corsican was later made 

Hereditary Consul for life, and finally was 

Created King, anointed by the Pope, and crowned 

By himself. Then after vicissitudes various 



204 The Child of the Nations 

And the conquest of Italy, he was proclaimed 

Emperor. And now a new regime began, 

Wherein plebians were made titled noblemen 

At the will of one who not so much the statesman 

Was as military despot. 

Yet even Napoleon's unparalleled success 

In the field of war deserted him, when from 

The gentle, loyal, winsome Josephine he rudely 

Parted, who to her dying hour Bonaparte 

Adored. Her son Beauharnais was appointed king 

Of Italy, while her grandson Louis Napoleon Third 

Liberator sublime became and "Emperor 

Evermore,"^ the last of France. His court was graced 

By the beautiful Eugenie, Empress ever 

Dignified, to the end revered and loved. 

Even in her later secluded sorrowful hfe. 

But Bonaparte e'en though deposed, exiled, imprison'd 

And dead, still reigned in the hearts of his people; still 

To the world is and will ever be the great 

Napoleon, as JuHus to Rome the great 

Caesar ne'er will cease to be. 



CANTO XII 
Germany 

Not inferior in energy to either CcBsar or Napoleon was that 
Charles the Great, who made a nation 

Of the eastern Franks, and with their help not only all of Gaul 
but nearly all of Europe conquered. Called a second 

Romulus, yet as the Rhine, the centre of this nation, exceeds in 
volume and in length the Tiber, so Charlemagne 

Rome's first King outstripped in statue and in strength. 
Like Caesar he not only was inimical 
In war, but anxious the conditions of his people 
To improve. His zeal was great in founding schools, 
Collecting manuscripts, gathering eminent men 
Around him. Alcuin his chief advisor was; 
His power th' rule of the ecclesiastics. Th' unity 
Of the Empire was a reflection of the imity 
Of the Church. The payment of tithes to the clergy was 
By Charlemagne estabUshed, erecting on a firmer 
Basis the connection between the Church and State. 
Th' crown of the imperial Caesars, bestow'd by 
Th' viceregent of Jehovah on Pepin's greater son, 
Whose grandfather, Charles Martel, defeated th' Moors 
At Tours, was lost to Germany when the kingdom of Charle- 
magne 
Was divided, and a nominal dignity only 
Left th' abject heirs of an illustrious name. 
Like India after Aurunzebe's day, the great 

205 



2o6 The Child of the Nations 

Kingdom of the Franks decayed. 

Otho, vigorous and able though not learn'd, 

Won again from Rome the symbol of th' Csesars' 

Power, which Henry suffer'd penance for when standing 

Barefoot at Canossa's mountain castle, waiting 

For forgiveness. Yet nor prince nor pope was earnest. 

Barbarossa, who with lion-hearted Richard 

Fought the third Crusade, was excommunicated, 

While Richard languished at Durstein. 

Barbarossa's grandson, intellectually 

Above but morally much below his age, saw Germany 

Split in many petty principalities; while 

Th' golden crown was now by popes on Austrian kings 

Bestow'd, and ancient Vindabona on the beautiful 

Danube became the capitol of th' Teutonic empire. 

The Hapsburg brain, by th' blood of Castile narrow'd, made 

Th' weakling Charles, Maximilian's grandson, who 

Murder'd thousands in the Netherlands, and would 

Have stamped out Protestantism had not its force been 

stronger 
Than pope and emperor combined. 
What could stem the vehement eloquence of th' monk 
Of Wittenberg or confute the great Confession of 
Augsburg? Learn'd Erasmus could not e'en gainsay 
All that Luther and Melancthon taught; while puppet 
Monarchs were as powerless to quell the great 
Surging masses, claiming right to think and pray 
And live according to their consciences with God's 
Word for rule of conduct, as artillery is 
To stem a mountain torrent. Cannon may mow down 



Germany 207 

Men, and ruthless butchery prevail, when peasants 

Rise to arms; but blood cries out; and more and more 

Th' spirit of democracy grew among this race 

Mothered by the soil, for Goth and Gauls descended 

Were from those far distant peoples we find buried 

With their various implements beneath the lakes. 

Vigorous men were these, who knew no master 'til 

Th' Romans came in Julius' time, yet were not wholly 

Conquer'd by Agricola, Germanicus 

Or Claudius. On these wild tribes the early Frankish 

Leaders forced baptism, while allegiance to 

Th' Pope was urg'd by Rome; but not 'til Martin Luther's 

Day were seeds of primitive Christianity sown 

In this land. The vision of the Crucified One 

Seeing, Luther his torch hghted from the light 

Of Bethlehem's star, and fearlessly flaunted it 

Before the princes and prelates, defying the power of Rome. 

But an idea as a weapon used loses 

Much of its power; so Luther failed to make his message 

Universal. Missing th' Gospel lesson of 

Non-resistance, he exhorted the princes to crush 

Th' rebellion; and no battles in all the annals of Rome 

Were more bloody than those between the German peasants 

And the lords of the Swabian League. Thousands met 

Their death by sword and water, while Copernicus 

Of Thorne in seclusion dying, clasped his book that Rhea's 

Revolutions demonstrated, knowing the world 

Was not ready for these truths which Kepler helped 

Later to elucidate. 

A century later th' brilliant Gustavus Adolphus, coming 



2o8 The Child of the Nations 

To succor religious freedom, lost his life at Lutzen; 

His blood with that of murder'd peasants mingling cried 

Out for liberty of thought. 

Like the Minotaur of old, German soil 

Devoured children sent from every European 

Country to sweU the ranks of the destroyer, in 

That war which rag'd for thirty years to abrogate 

Th' sovereignty of Rome, until schismatics were 

Given full share in ci\dl rights. 

Germany but a federation now of states. 

Princes, emancipated from imperial control, 

Despots became in their own territories. Before 

Another century roll'd 'round, Frederick, grandson of 

Th' great Elector of Brandenbm-g, inherited so 

Goodly a principaHty and so savage an army 

That he aspir'd to be an emperor. A tyrant 

Without fear, or faith, or mercy, crafty, sagacious, 

Cynical and ruthless, from Austria stole Silesia; 

England aided Frederick, France sided T^dth 

Maria Theresa, helping her to hold the Hapsburg 

Crown, which Marlborough wrested from the French at 

Blenheim. 
Beside the Austrian empire now arose the compact 
Prussian state. In time of peace which follow'd th' Seven 
Years War, when Frederick tried to legislate the people 
Into righteousness, not knowing that from e\dl 
To good is slow growth, intellectual life awoke. 
In Prussia Immanuel Kant, Fichte, Leibnitz and 
Lessing no mean luminaries were; yet Frederick 
Th' literature of France affecting, made of Voltaire 



Germany 209 

Much, 'til of such a brilHant guest he jealous grew. 

Little of the poetic spirit had come to Germany 

Till now. The wand 'ring minstrel Tannhauser, Sachs, the 

cobbler 
Poet and the Minnesingers were to th' poets 
Of Frederick's time what whippoorwills at night or songsters 
Before the daybreak are to th' chorus greeting sunrise: 
Schiller, with classic spirit and dramatic fire; 
Goethe, with serene insistently inquiring 
Mind, his grief to poems turning yet himself 
Holding aloof from love and strife, as th' Calvanistic 
God does from the world He made — this far-off God 
Of mediaeval Protestantism, which kept Spinoza 
From embracing Christianity. Finding in 
Th' depths of his sublime self God, this spiritually 
Minded man shows us how finite individuals, 
Dififerentiated from the unity of 
Infinite substance, come at last to God as gods. 
This was the crest of that great thought-wave by th' shoe- 
maker 
Mystic Boehme begun; two centuries later than 
Th' Holland-Portuguese philosopher it brought 
To th' Swabian Highlands one who found within 
Th' silence of his soul thoughts richer than he found 
In books; the Infinite Spirit moving in all things Hegel 
Recognized, but especially he perceived 
It manifest in history; Hellenic to the core, 
He came when seeds of Grecian culture ripening were 
In Teutonic soil. Then, too, came Heine, singing 
Almost as lyrically as the Lesbian poets. 



2IO The Child of the Nations 

Now Ludwig gladly gave his son to rule the Greeks, 

While he bade his architects make for him an "Athens 

On the Iser," sheltering Diirer, Holbein, Rembrandt, 

Kaufman, Van Dyke, and many others. 

But poets and painters stemmed not the tide of war, 

When a new Caesar stepped upon the scene. The wily 

Metternich sacrificed Louise Archduchess, and saved 

Austria's being blotted out by Bonaparte. 

Though in political intrigue strong, th' Austrian minister 

A pigmy was beside the Prussian tiger Bismarck, 

Who thought it virtue monarchs to deceive; so blinded 

By his brilliant mind, to his designs they fell 

A prey; then kings and emperors unawares aid'd him 

To tear adjacent territories to suit the pattern 

Prussia wish'd, and make of the confederate states, 

When France was humbl'd, an empire strong enough to 

dictate 
Terms to all of Europe. Now the cow may graze 
In green Lorraine, and wade in waters of the Rhine, 
For summer time it is in Germany. The spring 
As Goethe said to Mendelssohn, was when Theresa's 
Good, kind son the nobles' souls did harrow by 
Abolishing slavery and righting other wrongs, yet e'en 
Before this budding time was birth. 

There came to this fair world of ours three souls 

One year — just six before that war when we 

Were freed from tyranny of English rule. 

In childhood's days they felt the waves of strife 

That swept with enmity from sea to sea. 

Their prime of life likewise was lived while scenes 



Germany 21 ] 

Of carnage held full sway in Gallic lands. 

The one, who found on British isle his home,^ 

A man than whom none other is more mild, 

His poems full of Nature's lore, beside the lakes 

Sweet fancies bred, that intimate no thought 

Of cruel warfare wag'd in other lands. 

But breathe soft zephyrs fraught with blossoms gay. 

Sweet violets, daffodils, and daisies dear, 

With sunlight intertwin'd and twilight hours. 

Th' woods, the stones, the meanest flowers that bloom 

In his hand take on radiant hues, and glow 

With that glad light which fades on land and sea 

Yet lingers long within the mind of man. 

He spoke to Peter Bell — he speaks to me 

In language plain, and yet withal his words 

Make meadows sing and brooks take rainbow tints. 

He taught the young to see, to think, to feel, 

And better yet, to know the power that feeds 

Our minds in passiveness. The Infinite 

He saw in all that lives and breathes; he felt 

The silent voice of Nature's anguish, and 

Realized th' note of joy in things 

Inanimate. He sympathized with lowliest 

Forms of life. He strove man's heart to move, 

His mind to widen and enlarge, his vision 

To exalt that he might shape from out 

Th' produce of the common clay a little 

Paradise. His gospel has a healing 

Power; it helps to fortify, to soothe. 

To reconcile. His strain didactic is, 



The Child of the Nations 



Too strong, not veiled enough: too austere 

His self-control. Yet, fraught with peace and good, 

His message will not fail, e'en though his name 

Should from ofif the page of history be blotted. 
Th' one who came for birth on Danish soil,^ 
More vigorous than the poet, chose his home 
Where war and wealth had not perverted hearts; 
A peasant's cot preferr'd to castle walls. 
As likelier there to find the food that feeds 
Th' genius; keen privation great men need; 
For harder knocks it takes to make a man 
Than chiseling stones for statues. Fiery sea-kings 
Were his progenitors; their wild blood lent 
Him strength. His mother gave the Christian grace 
We note in all his later works. At home 
In Rome, this Thorwald of the North first strove 
To carry sculpture back to classic days; 
Then added somewhat of the modern ways; 
So stands, like Bach in music, midway 'twixt 
Th' old and new, — the Spring of art. As some 
Dry leaves still cling to trees though Easter Day 
Has come, not Jason, Gutenberg nor Byron 
His best thought portrays, but Christ; with arms 
Outstretched, speaking of the all-embracing 
Love, this statue is that best defines 

Th' step this artist took o'er mediaeval thought. 
To Germany, when o'er her breast the storms 
Of wrath and bitterness hd-d broken, when 
Her lap with cannon had been plow'd, and for 
Existence bare her brave their blood had shed, 



Germany 213 

To warm her bosom one there came who was 

To suffer more than even she had done. 

By choir of lesser luminaries led, 

Each giving strings to lyres yet paling all 

As does Orion's nebula at moonlight 

Or Sirius when sunlight floods the world, 

When Melody's great master brought his light, 

His star that elsewhere had its setting, down 

Th' centuries coming, travelling, laboring, waiting. 

Submitting, suffering, ere with glory rose 

O'er Austria, lighted Neustria, shed its beams 

On British lands: now Apollo's self 

Th' world of music lightens and uplifts. 

For Beethoven, dear, loving soul, did give 

From out his earthly store not only gold 

And silver, but encouragement, advice. 

Himself, his sympathy; he never turn'd 

His face from any one in need, nor failed 

To praise his weaker brother's feeble efforts; 

Always he strove to see the good in men, 

And not the ill; in judgment merciful. 

In friendship constant, jealousy unknown, 

That demon which so often warps wise men. 

To Handel, Haydn, Mozart, praise he gave, 

And thanks for every hill they levell'd, all 

The vales that they exalted; while before 

Th' conqueror they rode to music's palace. 

Th' road made somewhat straight, their way he walked 

Nor wavered in the course, though weighted down 

With many weary burdens, till the key 



214 The Child of the Nations 

Was forg'd with sacrifice and suffering keen 
Which op'd the door. Necessity compelHng, 
Within he dwelt, in those divinely built 
Exclusive halls where purest harmonies 
Are heard. Th' chains of mediaeval bondage, 
Which slavishly held tone to words, already 
Sebastian Bach had broken, as Luther loosed 
Th' bonds which bound the conscience in confession. 
So harmony and rhythm now stood like jars 
At wedding feast of old, where Mary knew 
They needed wine, and wiUing servants drew 
Th' water. But music's master, mother'd by 
A Magdalen, his royal father nothing. 
No servants by to fill the jars, did first 
Enlarge the mould; then mix'd with brain and heart 
A nectar given by the gods, and drew 
Such melody therefrom, that surging of 
Th' Rhine, the wildest forest notes, the storm, 
Th' gentlest breeze that blows, th' wailing woe, 
Th' cry of joy, were blended all in one 
In his immortal symphonies. His head 
Oft reel'd with overdose of melody; 
Its utter loneliness his spirit felt. 
While agonizing throes of childbirth left 
Him deaf to sounds of earth, that only might 
He hear th' heavenly song, and give to man 
In radiant garment clad th' maiden music 
So fair, so free, so full of feeling, speaking 
In universal language love to all. 
Then as the Magi brought to Israel's royal babe 



Germany 215 

Gifts, so artists of this Teuton land would fain 

Th' brow of music's child with jewels deck. Then enter'd 

Schumann, Schubert, Franz the open palace door. 

And bow'd before their nation's child, while Brahms has 

given 
A diadem to-day. Then one arose who said 
Th' maid must wed. The godman Poetry long had wait'd. 
With bonds of rare orchestral tone the two in holy 
Wedlock were united by the high priest, Wagner, 
Who with play at Oberammergau most deeply 
Was impressed— though he saw not Anton Lang, 
Greatest artist that e'er took th' part of Christus.^ 
It is in Parsifal we see the blending of 
Hebraic and Hellenic myths. Th' spear more plainly 
Speaks than tusk of boar^ or even brazen serpent^ 
Of that wound which pleasure takes from king, and makes 
Him yield his state to forest-foster'd lad, whose mother 
Kept him innocent till old enough to battle 
With seductive vice, and hold the fount of feeling 
Till time was ripe for highest joy.® The Holy Grail 
He could partake of and be strong. Such man is greater 
Conqueror than he who won at Waterloo. 



CANTO XIII 
Russia 

It was the ice and snow which Nature as a robe of state to Russia 
gave that overcame the mighty Corsican, who 

Made the same mistake that Charles of Sweden made a century 
earlier, deeming he could bring the bear to bay by following 

Him, not dreaming of what cost of life would be where thousands 
saved from sword and fire by frost and cold and famine 
perished; 

While the Muscovites rebuilt their town and fresh 
Courage took, remembering how in Etzel's day 
Th' Knights of Gunther to a man were slaughter'd, that time 
When Kriemhild, who had taken Helca's chair would fain 
Avenge the wrong that Hagen did to her beloved 
Siegfried, and again obtain the Nibelung's gold. 
Gunther's men in Etzel's banquet hall fought bravely, 
Where the only wine was blood; and this before 
Julius Caesar crossed the Alps, before the Romans 
Knew they had a foe beyond the fence of snow. 
Uta's daughter was but one of many German 
Princesses who mixed their blood with bold, brave Huns; 
Though it was long before the Tartars took on aught 
Of western ways, or showed towards European 
Culture any leaning, save in th' title Tzar. 
Not until the women ruled did the Slav 
Any outward mildness show. 
Ivan's daughter, Anne of Courland, guided by 

216 



Russia 217 

German libertines, extended th' empire southward 

Conquering Turks and Scythian Tartars. 

Elizabeth like her father Peter, named "the Great," 

Liv'd a licentious life; and yet advanc'd th' prosperity 

Of her country, carrying on the policy of Peter, 

Which showed th' weakness of the Scandinavians, from 

Whose borders centuries before came Danish Rurik 

To rule in Russia. He Novagard builded, and 

Helped to enlighten the uncultured Huns. 

To avenge her wrongs from Emperor Frederick's hands 

Elizabeth allied herself to Austria's Empress 

Maria Theresa, thereby stopping the advance 

On her domain of greedy Prussia. 

Mild indeed were all the other Russian queens 

Beside the German Catherine, whose domestic crimes 

Though dark grow dim compared to her dastardly conduct 

Toward crushed, crumbling Poland. 

Austria's Empress and Prussia's King each lent a hand 

Aiding the Tzarina in her deadly work. 

Which resulted in blotting Poland from the map; 

Yet her name still rings on th' page of history 

When we her men of might remember. Sobieski, 

Called by the Pope to save the Church and 

By Austria to deliver the State from impious hands 

Of infidel Turks, devoting body and soul to defend 

The honor and glory of the Polish name, delivering 

Beautiful beleaguer'd Vienna, driving the Moslem 

Forever out of Austria, so that great cathedral 

For St. Stephen named should not share the fate 

Of Saint Sophia's fane, will ever be a hero 



2i8 The Child of the Nations 

Of the rarest, purest type. 

Nor should we forget King Stanislaus Leczinsky, 

By Sweden's monarch chosen to rule the Poles, the father 

Of the fair Maria who as Queen of France 

Bore daughters many to Louis Quinze. 

A god of such heroic build success is. 

That Catherine's subjects ready were to forget her foreign 

Birth and e'en her many crimes, remembering only 

Her reforms and dazzling victories. Her empire 

To the Caucasus was extended; the Tartars of 

The Crimea made independent of the Turks, 

Yet their home in less than a century was the scene 

Of bitter warfare between the allied powers of all 

Western Europe and the Russias. 

It was here that little Sardinia her first 

Laurels gained, whose brave king Emanuel, 

Duke of Savoy, aided by th' sagacious policy 

Of Cavour, was soon to free defenseless Italy. 

War in the Crimea was begun on pretext 

Of protecting holy places, but its end 

Was an open door to th' Black Sea, by the blows 

Of many valiant patriots cut. 

Catherine's children still rule Russia, who descent 

Claim from that brave exiled patriot Romanoff, 

Th' monk whose blood was mix'd with that of Danes and 

Russians; 
So this house of Romanoff is heir of all 
Of Scandinavian Rurik's kingdom, as well as of 
Th' land long held by th' Golden Horde, and is to-day 
Successor of the Greeks, the Huns, the Turks, the Arabs 



Russia 



219 



And the Tartars in that land by th' Jaxartes water'd 
Where Venetian Timour once his capital made. 
Nicholas, grandson of that Alexander named 
"Liberator of the Serfs" whose clemency was 
Repaid by base assassination at the hands 
Of Nihihsts, now at The Hague holds conference of peace, 
While poor Finland still is robbed of her rights. 
And men of China, Korea and Japan cheated. 
Yet relief to persecute Jews and tolerance 
Of unorthodox Christians, freedom of the Polish 
Press, and aid to students, show the reforming hand 
Of the Tzar, whose empire has become the centre 
Of anarchistic demands that nothing rational can 
Satisfy; for long repression of the Russian 
Mind has made it peculiarly susceptible to 
Th' unnatural heat of free thought, as 'tis call'd; and one 
There is who e'er augments this socialistic ferment. 
Tolstoy nobly born yet scorning empires, 
Titles, wealth and ease, has learned that 
Not until the love of God be shed 
Abroad, as leaves in autumn when the trees 
Bare their boughs the soil to richen, will 
Men in high estate make laws that rob 
Robes of tinsel to clothe the naked and 
Feed the children of the husbandman, 
Who with horny hands the black earth plows 
To harvest wheat for children of the rich. 
As the Sun returning from the tropics 
Melts the snow in valleys first and later 
On the mountain peaks, so here the people 



The Child of the Nations 



Laboring in the fields the prophet's voice 

Gladly hear, while those in places high 

Hear yet heed not all his burning words 

Springing from a heart surcharged — kindly 

But mistaken thought. This man of Russia 

Sees unwritten laws, as did Antigone, 

Brave and strong. Yet wiser Socrates 

Knew that breaking laws ^ however bad 
Never helps to mend the ill or aid the good. 
And so a prophet must arise who truly sees 
Th' teaching of the Nazarene; and also knows 
What Buddha knew, that action ceas'd from still is action,' 
While too much clemency reactionary is. 
These people, held in check so long, still need a rein. 



CANTO XIV 
America 

The idea of liberty concerning matters of conscience conceiving, 
men of British birth to Holland fled, thence came to these 

Stern shores to found a state on lines their narrowness dictated, 
persecuting all who disagreed with them regarding views 

Religious, failed signally in their efforts to limit liberty to th' 
Puritan mould; the reins too tightly held were snapt. 

Descendants of these stern but hardy men, who fought 

Th' Indians and the French for every foot of ground, 

Warred with the mother country for their rights. 

Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, are names fast woven 

Into the warp of Liberty's gown. In th' war with England 

Her more polished sons, who earlier settled in 

Virginia and Maryland, in thought and purpose 

With the Mayflower men became one; while the Dutch 

And Huguenots, who held Manhattan Isle and th' scenic 

Hudson, lent their strength; so when the revolution 

Ended, not a few small settlements envious each 

Of the other, but thirteen states united to form 

A government, with George Washington for their President, 

And their capital on th' Potomac nam'd for him. 

Sprung from th' sons of Puritan and Dutch Protestants, 

Found'd by men whose lives were given that liberty might 

Be born, we should expect a swift and easy birth. 

But another element in th' amalgamation 

Which made th' United States, was that refined, indolent 



22 2 The Child of the Nations 

People who from England and Scotland came. 

Aristocrats for long ages, used to servants, they 

Welcom'd th' advent of the negroes who became 

A necessity, soon as they degenerated 

Through luxurious living. Th' black man could all day 

Labor in the fields and bear the sun; to him, 

Coming from the wilds of Africa, this country 

Was a paradise. Associated in closest 

Intimacy with his master, th' change from savage 

To domestic state was rapid. As wild fruits 

Become by cultivation larger, juicier, stronger 

And more abundant when not hybrid, so this wild 

Race of black-skinn'd men improv'd. Th' masters mixed 

Their blood from time to time with slaves, and did great 

wrong 
To both. The white blood made a slender, brown-skinn'd 

man, 
Hose in his brain, and told him he to his master was 
Kin. Then liberty he demanded. 
Th' sturdier Northerner who felt no need of slaves, 
Cried out against his brother in the South 
Who upon his human property leaned more 
And more, as on his crutch leans a cripple, seeing 
No way to walk without. Then long and bitter was 
Th' strife disrupting this new nation started by 
Religious men, on the idea of liberty foimded. 
What the outcome of this burning hatred between 
Brothers, men whose ancestors fought so lately that 
This country might be free, who fram'd a constitution 
On th' equal rights of man? 



A 



merica 223 



Would not Patrick Henry speak from the tomb? Would 

not 
Washington's bones arise, and all New England's fathers 
Leave their rest in Paradise an internecine 
Feud to arrest? And yet it came. On many fertile 
Fields their hot blood flowed. Thousands fell by sword 
And gun. Their cannon tore down ramparts, and destroyed 
Palatial homes. In prison hundreds languish'd, dying 
Of starvation and disease. At home the women 
Wept alone or hover'd over half-fed children; 
While men to hardship not inured slept on cold. 
Damp ground or walk'd all night as sentinels, their lives 
More freely giving than their sons give dollars now 
To feed the poor or educate the liberated 
Slave. On either side good men, brave, valiant soldiers, 
Able generals, gentlemen and people of 
Th' soil were linked arm in arm for Southern rights, 
Or for the Union struggling long. 

As dung when mix'd with earth produces fruits and flowers 
Th' finest, so these troublous times, when wicked deeds 
With human feelings mixed in the breasts of many 
Men, produced a man among men, hero great. 
Who gave birth to th' thought of Freedom. 
Always thought must things precede. Before material 
Manifestation possible is, th' idea comes. 
In man creative power, as in God, first thinks. 
Then wills, then does; and thoughts need longer periods of 
Gestation to be born than visible objects do. 
Thoughts must not only be conceived but must live 
Ere they in turn can reproduce and multiply, 



2 24 The Child of the Nations 

And deeds make possible. The birth of th' thought of 

freedom 
Was not freedom, nor e'en its conception. That 
Can only come when as a whole the nation thinks 
This thought, when all men work together to produce 
That which is fermenting now. 

Yet praise shall ever be to him who thought this thought; 
Iron willed, silver tongued, golden hearted. 
Crystal vision'd patriot he, our President; 
Who prudently and skillfully, with master hand 
And stout heart th' appalling sittiation faced; 
Yet yielded not a jot or tittle of authority 
Vested in his ofi&ce, but held tight the reins 
Of the governmental horse, so that rebellious 
States the traces broke, and fired upon Fort Sumter. 
Then to arms his countrymen loudly Lincoln called, 
Disruption to avert from our blest fatherland. 
Fought by raw, undisciplined troops the first 
Battle lost was, by fault of one who through inertia 
His superior officer failed to obey. 
One vote saved Porter from a traitor's death; 
While McDowell, who was not a natural general, 
Suffer'd from this defeat throughout the war; yet Sherman 
Called him America's highest spirit 
Of gentlemanliness ; for had he not refused 
Supreme command when by the President offered it, 
Rather than precedence take of General Scott, a senior 
Officer under whom McDowell had served in 
Th' Mexican War? But no such modest feeling deterred 
Ulysses Grant from mounting to first place who showed 



America 



225 



Himself a born commander and true soldier, who 

Rightly became the hero of the war, though Sherman 

And Sheridan followed closely on his heels. From all 

Three the war spirit brightly shone. 

For eighteen moons the carnage reigned ere the freeing 

Of the slaves, which proclamation from th' Executive 

Was forced as means to end the fight. He knew the Black 

Must be armed for the Union. Feeling rose 

High, and many Federalists were dissatisfied; 

While Confederates now fought to th' death with great 

Odds, at all times having fewer men, but led 

Throughout the strife by brave strategic souls, as Lee 

And Stonewall Jackson, whose names live beside those on 

Th' winning side. The hearts were stout and blood was warm 

Of these southerners who deem'd their cause was just; 

And honor them we must, regretting bitterness 

That lasted long, e'en after their most noble leaders 

In the dust were laid. Yes, lasted 'til three Presidents 

Had fallen by assassins' hands. Beloved Lincoln 

Just entering on his second presidential term; 

Garfield, ere he'd shown what he could do, and peaceful, 

Mild McKinley, after sailing the ship of state 

Safely through the Spanish War, which rudely was 

Upon him thrust. Like Rome's philosopher Emperor, 

Only when forced he fought, and like Aurelius 

Was most brave in facing death. 

But one Democrat has filled th' presidential 

Chair since the Rebellion, who with firm judicial 

Mind, hke Cato the Elder, civil service reforms 

Established, and just as the censor called for 



226 The Child of the Nations 

The destruction of Carthage, Cleveland insistently 

Demand'd improvement of the tariff. Bryan, born 

To rule, with monetary reform came forward now. 

Had he gained the executive office, war 

Between the classes which now threatens might have been 

Postpon'd though never entirely averted; for like mountains 

Humans must be rudely shaken ere they reach 

Their level. Rocks and fire upheaved are before 

Crystal fountains flow; so in this shaking of 

America's people we must expect hard knocks, 

Not only on political and economic 

Questions; but the fire of religious persecution 

Once again shall burn within the borders of 

This fair land where religious liberty was to dwell. 

Th' Puritan spirit th' breast shall swell of those maintaining 

That all men are equal. Protestant not only shall 

Scorn the Catholic, but shall loudly denounce and try 

To quench the rapidly spreading cult as "New Thought" 

known. 
But not having sufficient truth to set him free, 
Like Christ's disciples of old, he shall both fear 
And chastise those who do miracles in a way 
He does not understand; forgetting that the Master 
Said, All who are not against us are for us; 
Remembering not that Jesus said, Greater things 
Than these shall ye do; thinking not of Paul's teaching 
That the gifts of spirit divers are; not preaching. 
Teaching, prophesying, healing, only, for spirit 
Worketh as it wills. Interpreting tongues and 
Discerning spirits all are from the selfsame 



America 227 



Source. Yes, bitter indeed will be the feeHng, stinging 

Th' words, and cruel and unjust the judgment of 

Those professing to foUow th' Prince of Peace. The Rock 

Of Ages will be crucified afresh. And as 

Th' rocks are split and washed to pebbles, then are ground 

To sand ere they can be cemented by the clay 

And made one rock again, so Christ's Church will be 

Divided, subdivided, persecuted, parted, 

Until the Rock of Truth is all hke grains of sand, 

Here a little, there a little, washed by seas 

Of doubt, left cover'd by the waves of strife, yet ever 

Shone on by the sun, until at length the troubled 

Waters all are dried up. Then intelligence 

Shall make clear the truth. The sand at th' bottom of 

Th' sea is safe as on the shore; so though submerged 

For a time, at last will every atom of 

Th' truth be manifest; for only can birth come 

Through strain and stress and storm. All light the offspring is 

Of dark; so this intolerant night in our dear land 

Will be the birth pains of a day of higher, clearer, 

Cleaner thought. The isms all are for a purpose. 

Many schisms grinding time but hasten, which 

Ever welding time precedes. 

Since the days of Luther no reform has taken 

Such a hold on Christians as that inaugurated 

By Phineas Quimby of Portland, Maine, and broadcast sown 

By his pupil, Mary Baker Eddy. She 

To the world this message gave, and thousands upon 

Thousands have been helped out of the pit and put 

Upon the track of apostolic teaching. Had 



228 The Child of the Nations 

He who first this truth received Hved longer 

It would probably have been given to the world 

With fuller light; for Quimby never had denied 

Th' source of this fresh inspiration. 

Th' number of her followers would have been far less 

But her cult more lasting had only Mary Eddy 

Been brave enough to tell the truth respecting her 

Revelation, and not take the credit all 

Herself/ The thought would then not have had abortive 

birth. 
VTet truth though buried long at length to th' surface rises. 
Th' scientist pebble will be sand, and many other 
Cults and isms be ground down. Then th' "Mother Church" 
Always th' past conserving, ever tending to grasp 
All that comes within her reach will open wide 
Her doors and take in many shipwrecked children who 
Struggling are with waves of doubt. So many will 
Come in she can no longer lock her doors but will 
Th' lesson learn that Christ intended when to Peter 
Keys He gave to unlock the gates. ^ 
Ere this comes to pass we needs must see a war 
Between the classes, wherein the mass ascendancy 
Will gain, and overthrow the plutocrats. This violent 
Uprising of the mob we could prevent if greed 
Were curb'd in time, and arrogance gave place to kindness, 
Sympathy took precedence of self-indulgence. 
Th' rich man does not think. Gold fills the chinks of all 
His palace walls; his bed, his carriage and his clothes 
So padded are he fails to hear the piteous cry 
Uprising from the slimas where God's children starving, 



America 



229 



Freezing are; his eyes are gloated with strong wine 

And vulgar scenes, so he sees not the brawny arms 

And iron hands of working men; because he's blind 

And deaf the reign of luxury will end in havoc. 

But more fearful still will be the bloodshed when 

Th' strong black man shall mount upon the steps now 

building 
By degenerate whites. Not only will the black 
Man the white man fight; but religious fanaticism 
Which ever insists that all men equaP are in God's 
Sight, will brother incite against his brother over 
Th' cause of th' blacks. This gory war, by women led. 
Will result in a woman in the Presidential 
Chair (foreseen by Susan Anthony, an able man 
In female form),* which ushers in a greater change 
When a black shall hold that office grac'd by Lincoln, 
Who though foully murder'd by an insane Jew 
Happy was in that he lived not long enough 
To see the ballot given to the freedman. This 
Was th' beginning of conditions that will finally 
Lead to negro rulership in America. 
To free the slave was just and wise; to give him suffrage 
Was a foolish act. A new-born babe as well 
Might cast a ballot as when first emancipated 
Th' black. But now the fruit of unripe seed decaying 
On the ground breeds many a feud, and politics makes 
Impure, and hastens what was sure to come: dissension 
Between two races never meant to dwell within 
Th' same tents. Abel's blood was shed by Cain, and Cain's 
Descendants^ will with cruel hand the blood of Japheth's 



230 The Child of the Nations 

Sons outpour on this blest soil where many great 

Souls have given their lives in freedom's holy cause. 

After or during the period of the Civil War 

Those were born who now form Doctor Coulter's circle. 

He, the great Greek god of healing, then the Cid, 

Petrarch, Cosimo de Medici, and Voltaire, 

Had his last earth life in Indiana where 

For a few short years he was a country doctor. 

Through our dear clairaudient Pythia, whom we all 

Revere, we have acquired some facts respecting our 

Director: First, that we belong to him as subjects 

To a sovereign; for our guides have elected him 

Commander-in-chief of th' circle. All who talk with Doctor 

Coulter learn to love, revere and trust him. His 

Judgment in earth matters is remarkable as 

Is his counsel for our soul's advancement. Our 

Dear Doctor becomes to each of us a friend. 

Like earth sovereigns he has favorites at court, 

Pythia always first — and should she not be, with 

Psychic gifts transcending all we've ever heard 

Or read of? She was priestess of the Delphic shrine 

Who hailed Euripides wisest of his tribe. Before 

That she was Hygeia, in gift of healing second 

Only to her brother yEsculapius. 

Her last earth life cut short, as Charlotte Corday, she needs 

Must come again; and now her time and strength devotes 

To manifesting immortality. 

Not a medium she, for our Pythia never was 

"Controlled" nor entranced, which is hypnotism 

From the other world and not the best;^ nor does 



America 231 



Our Pythia visions see, or dreams interpret, though 

She has much natural prescience. Her unique gift 

Is "the independent voice" whereby those who 

Understand the law may speak to, and the voices 

Hear of, loved ones gone before; may hold communion 

With their angel guides and learn to do and suffer 

Here more willingly, each fulfilling his especial 

Mission, yet quite happy at the thought of going 

Hence when earth-work is complete. 

Our Pythia of a sweet and patient nature is, 

Kind and true; she strives to help each one to see 

That "all is right" as Hermes frequently asserts. 

Him who Doctor Coulter's trusted messenger is 

We call our Hermes. From him gladly we receive 

A word of cheer, as by the little walnut table 

In the upper room we sit, and offerings make 

Of fruit and flowers, love and prayers and sacrifice. 

For dear ones gone beyond the veil. 

It was my good fortune to be first of th' chosen 

Few who form th' circle, next to Pythia's handsome 

Black-eyed boy. To th' work I brought one who had been 

Both Deborah and Maintenon; and could she but 

Have realized that the rod was still hers in 

Th' astral world, she would have been a greater power 

In the new world than in Israel or in France. 

But though she had fine judgment, heart and mental gifts, 

Her eye of faith was dimmed by excess of worldly 

Goods, Her daughter knowing she had been Isolde 

Married Mark, thereby redeeming one past life. 

Next he who preaches now, but was so lately Keats, 



232 The Child of the Nations 

His brilliant comet and his rose of poesy bringing, 

Who still is seven and pale yellow. 

The combination of number and color with fruit and flower 

Betokens what work best is suited to our need. 

Th' third whom I induced to visit Pythia was 

My graceful, gracious friend, who had been Ariadne, 

Andromeda and Adrienne Lecouvrier. 

These names disclosed to us a law that always in 

Past lives we'd find three names with one initial letter. 

As Ariadne of old to Theseus gave the thread, 

So now she led him to the light whose lov'd earth-mate 

Had lately gone before; soon as convinced that he 

With her could talk, rare psychic powers developed 

Who writing "Coulter's Treatise" preaches and practices 

help. 
Ariadne's mother, who to me will always 
Iphigenia be, is green, with clematis white; 
Her number four much sadness gives in life. Another 
Green and fifteen, with narcissus white, a musical 
Patroness, is sister of La Farnarina. 
One from Venus, blue and eleven, uses her music 
For the pleasure of the poor. Hippolyta 
Has now rare gifts of sight and healing. Intellectual 
And fruitful in good works some are who fail in faith ;^ 
Purple obscures their light, hence they will come again. 
Jason is no longer bewitched by Medea, 
Nor in love with Glauke, though he knows them both; 
To Rhea Silvia he is married, who still is pink. 
Louis Conde, Huguenot leader, has yet a passion 
For reform. We must work to develop self, 



America 233 

Then work to aid others who are tugging at the rope; 

For all are linked and bound together, of the body 

Politic members, each as necessary to 

Th' whole as members of the individual's body 

Are to its welfare. Doctor Coulter ever 

Is insistent respecting this, and urges each 

To do his part regardless of the praise or blame 

Of men; commands allegiance to our guide appointed 

By our Heavenly Father to help us climb the mount; 

Forbids our looking down on any one below 

Us on the ladder, for we are only higher by 

Th' grace of God and aid from elder brothers gone 

Before. All now in Doctor Coulter's circle number 

Have and color ;^ yet ciphers were of yore, as those 

Who have not learn'd yet how to make the Hght shine through 

Their shrouds of clay. When color^ comes, then number too 

Is given. ^'^ How count leaves before the stem has sprouted? 

Why wish leaves to fall ere they have done their work? 

Th' flowers pluck'd, th' fruits preserv'd, th' seed elsewhere 

Planted in new soil; opportunity is given 

Again and again the soul to redeem itself from crime, 

Mediocrity, squalor and hidden faults which harder 

Oft times are to cure than crime. Like apples rotting 

At the core, the cover'd sins of self-approval. 

Avarice, unforgiveness, anything that hinders 

Progress, pride, especially spiritual satisfaction, 

Spoil the seed for higher planting. 

Over and over again the self the heart of man 

Enters; until it builds a more ethereal body 

Th' house of clay it uses, weaving a wedding garment, 



234 The Child of the Nations 

Covering, which in th' interstellar spaces serves 
Th' soul 'til strong enough the spiritual body grows 
To slip this cloudlike covering, as the house of clay- 
It earlier forsook, and stand arrayed in light. 
Ere the soul may leave the earth forever to bask 
In light, and choose its work in worlds where loved ones 

dwell. 
Much it must subdue, and many attributes 
Perfect. Our metals, jewels, fruits and flowers may all 
Be chang'd for higher ones. If we are lead or iron 
At heart it will be hard indeed to turn to silver; 
But to steel we may attain by being true. 
Copper or aluminum may turn to gold 
By doing deeds of kindness, charity holding in 
Th' heart. To polish the jewels or gain better ones 
Requires but little effort; intellectual work 
Brings clear stones ; pearls are tears. Of fruits the higher ones 
Have many seeds, thin skins and yellow color. Hard 
Work in any line, with right intent improves 
Th' fruit. No matter if the flower from lap of earth 
From shrub or tree doth spring, it must in time be white. 
Perfume sweet or centres golden tell a tale 
Of progress. Trees than shrubs are higher, vines than trees. 
Lastly our light must shine, our candles all be placed 
Within the candlestick.^^ That light may not be faint 
Or flicker, obstacles must be removed, th' mould 
And dust be wiped away; indifference, doubt, despair. 
Despondency, criticism or any shade obscuring 
Light, be rent. The blinds within now raised, th' spirit 
Looks without, has certitude, meets sorrow cheerfully 



America 235 

As joy, for both are messengers from the King of Kings. 

Learn to trust your guide, he has dimb'd th' path before 

And knows its pitfalls. Place your hand in his, and hold 

Your soul upturn'd for inspiration. These are some 

Of the teachings that our dear Director gives, 

Whose circle Here and Over There five hundred and forty 

Numbers, some from every cycle, ^^ of the flower 

Which crowns the second branch of th' Aryan candlestick. 

In America, in England, Germany and 

France our Pythia has formed circles of those 

Ready for the work. In India now and Japan 

She is finding friends who gladly hear the Voice, 

And counsel take from Doctor Coulter. First we thought 

Th' circle was exclusively for America 

Which we now know girdles th' globe. 

Several of our circle have the prison of Akka 

Visited, Abdul Baha to see, who knows that he 

Is "one of us," and also knows who belong to him. 

Devoted souls who make this pilgrimage bring word 

A great hght they have seen. One learn'd in portraiture 

All resign'd to follow this manifestation 

Of the Word, but thinks not as some do that he 

Is Jesus come again, nor does this " Servant of God" 

As he styles himself, so teach. Indeed the Bahai 

Of reincarnation seldom speak — a doctrine 

Perhaps already too much accented in the East. 

Baha UUah, conscious soul,^^ to Persia came 

With a worldwide message, proclaiming peace to all 

Mankind. His son Abdul Baha the message is 

Carrying now to all the nations.^* He is the only 



236 The Child of the Nations 

Perfected soul^^ on earth to-day, and may sometime 
Be added to the "Prophets of the world," when with 
His rosy light, his white rose, pearls and serpent, he has 
Proceeded to the Mica candlestick. Then one, 
Green and nine and better understood by men. 
Will tell the life of this beloved man, whose luminous 
Face abides with me as spiritual father ever. 
My mother, Geraldine, Euripides chose; 
Her color blue I took, my father's brain 
Inherited. Spiritual development and 
His own vibration th' individual brings; 
But an adequate instrument necessary 
Is to proper manifestation in 
Th' flesh. I thank my guide for giving me 
So fair a start, surroundings so congenial 
To my soul. Not too much gold and glitter; 
No sordidness; no stint of food for bodily 
Growth; and much of mental pabulum. 
My parents both had faith in God and man, 
And knew the best gift ever is a well 
Stor'd mind. While much of knowledge recollection 
Is, and hence must be educ'd, th' wise 
Admixture of the present truth with that 
Brought from th' past feeds best the brain, and aids 
In mental growth. I seldom went to school. 
My father kept my mind alert by frequent 
Drills in mathematics, and taught me what 
Was best in books; while tutors blest with classic 
Training help'd to mould my taste in study. 
My eldest brother, who was a sage of old, 



America 237 

Later Gorgias and Guercino, brought 

Such wisdom, eloquence and art with him 

It proves a law not only that a letter 

Is preserv'd in names, but all that is 

Worth while in any life will live, becoming 

Th' total of our good. 

My guide had hoped that I might be a playwright, 

But my dramatic talent insufficient 

Was, e'en when inspir'd by Bacchus' youngest 

Child. My plays were feeble efforts. I 

Lost heart and strength. Then humble growing sought 

Th' Fountain Head, and found by grace of God 

A guide who understood my need. Of how 

I long'd and prayed I've spoken in the prologue. 

When Homer came he made me well, and taught 

Me much to help Hereafter. 

Th' scroll is fast unrolling whereon my past 

Is written. Often I see myself in Egypt; 

Early as the Libyan Sibyl; later 

Asenath, daughter of the priest of On, 

And many times in Greece; 

Yet on Venus oftenest my home 

Has been, for when I see her light my heart 

With longing swells. I know and like my former 

Venus friends, though Mars attracts me strongly. 

Planetary attractions of the spirit 

Are, while color are the astral, metal 

Those of earth bodies. Countries claim us strongly 

Where we've passed happy lives; repel. 

When the life has been unhappy. Where 



238 The Child of the Nations 

We have had no previous incarnation 
Th' earth is better studied. 
In Athens joyfully my footsteps turn 
To th' Acropolis; there I seem to dance 
For Pan; know there I have been born and buried. 
In Rome upon the Appian way I felt 
Th' clank of chains and weight of hidden crimes. 
Having no emotions of self's past 
Experiences in America, 

I gain from th ' grovmd th' accumulated thought 
Of those who made this country what it is, 
And see the land as 'twas and is to be. 
When the Northmen skirted th' eastern shores of this 
Land, they found a barrier in the mountains high 
That everywhere the seacoast faced. But these giant 
Volcanoes had their work done ere Vespucius sighted 
This continent; and when Hudson first the Palisades 
And rocky Manhattan viewed, little did he realize 
That all this land had come forth from the bowels of 
Th' earth; for where the mighty furnace once had been 
Now a peaceful river flowed. 

Likewise in New England, once a rockbound coast, 
Now lakes and hills and fertile fields, which in the fullness 
Of time the white man came to take possession of, 
Rooting out the redskins who America's 
Autochthonous race were. As other races of 
Like kind, coming in the pleistocene age, they 
Were southward swept by glaciers; venturing north again 
And again in interglacial periods, have 
Left traces of their genius throughout our land. 



America 239 

The degenerate descendants of this great 

People built the mounds we find in various places, 

And were the cave dwellers of two thousand years ago. 

Th' remnant of this red race, conquer'd in the South 

And West by Spaniards, in the North and East by English 

And French men, cruelly crush'd out by the white man, will 

Come again this land of theirs to inherit. When 

Names like Daniel Boone and Henry Clay or Franklin 

And Daniel Webster can no longer be conjur'd with; 

When inventions of John Fitch,^^ will useless be, 

For more easily, rapidly and safely will 

Th' air be navigated than the water, when 

Aviation ceases to be experimental; 

When Marconi's wireless will have driven out 

Th' poles and wires; when Edison, record preserving will 

Have perfected; when a part of th' vigorous North 

Polar race, who think themselves the only race 

On earth to-day, have come to us; and also th' primitive, 

Diminutive Antarctic peoples have been found ;^^ 

When the Japanese come here as to their own. 

Which will not be until the blacks have conquer'd th' 

whites; 
When th' Samoan and th' Nippon isles begin 
To rise; then comes so vast a cataclasm it will 
Rend this continent in twain. 

All now west of the Father of Waters will be thrown 
Off to form a second moon, wherein the great 
Rockies, which their work have not yet finished, will 
Be given another chance; for mountains even as 
Individuals needs must do their work. Then th' wild 



240 The Child of the Nations 

Prairies, oldest of all our country/^ will sink peacefully 

To rest. Then all the land east of the Mississippi 

Will that continent join which now is rising, whose 

Submarine volcanoes make that current warm 

In the South Atlantic, which we call th' Gulf Stream 

For lack of knowledge as to planetary life. 

It may be several centuries ere this continental 

Split shall come, but already our old moon 

Has changed its course, as if for th' new to make a place. 

Also Juno is now rapidly nearing th' spheres, 

Though she still obscures a part of Mars, a red 

Hue o'er his more brilliant light is casting. When 

This red spot moves off we'll plainly see the real 

Mars, then planet Juno will disco ver'd be.^* 

Our own planet shall at this time feel a quake 

In every quarter, which will tell us Rhea is 

Usher'd into th' second astral sphere of light. 



CANTO XV 
The Ideal 

Now upon her little end the dear earth rocks, which agitation 
makes within, and the unrest augments which is 

Apparent among her children. Not 'til Rhea sends her little 
end to view the Polar Star will that upheaval come 

Which makes the land and seas unite to form one continent 
where the people of this globe shall all together dwell in 
amity. 

Ere we reach the ideal state, the nation that 
Shall for emblem choose the dove, on Rhea's breast 
Many changes will take place before she safely 
Lands upon her side, which to her varied motions 
Equihbrium gives. Less friction felt, the mother 
Quiet and calm, the children will be peaceable. 
As nearer to the sun the planet rides, more brightness 
There will be by day and night and more real light, 
For of th' intelligence Apollo still is god. 
Then on every mount, in any clime, shall muses 
Dwell, and all the children of the earth by them 
Be fed. No longer here and there a seer; to all 
Th' then and now and future will be clear; then all 
Shall prophesy.^ Their instruments of war all piled 
Upon the grave of Mars, the men of earth no more 
An arrow or a sword, a cannon ball or musket 
Use, but grasp each other's hands in friendship; 
All one nation then, and rul'd by just two laws, 

241 



242 The Child of the Nations 

Love of God and love of man; no courts of justice, 

No crimes and no complaints ; each man will love his neighbor 

As himself, and hence delight to honor him; 

Neither surgeons, hospitals nor medicine. 

Every child then born without disease will grow 

Strong, by love and wisdom foster'd; no old age. 

No decreptitude, for where there is no strife, 

Emulation, ill will, greed or bitterness. 

Poverty, anxiety or hardship to sap 

The strength, there will be much to foster it. When all 

Rhea's children sail the seas or navigate 

Th' air for recreation, their commodities 

Exchanging with no thought of precedence or loss; 

When each quarter of the globe shall vie with every 

Other its best gifts as to an honor'd guest 

Bringing; when all shall be captains in the army 

Of the Prince of Light, all marshall'd under one 

Flag, saluting all one standard; then indeed 

Peace shall reign. The song the angels sang on Judah's 

Plain so long ago was meant for all mankind; ^ 

Stronger with the years its echo grows; in every 

Land it is repeated as a good wish once 

A year. The echo shall not die; it must come clearer; 

Come not only Christmas day, but every day, 

Until it takes such hold on man that with the angels 

He shall sing. On earth be Peace. 

Then the day will dawn which is to last a thousand 

Years ;^ The Son of Man be seen by all whose eyes 

Clear are made by faith, a glorious vision in 

Th' clouds; a power descending, helping tardy climbers; 



The Ideal 243 

A glory coming, quickening hearts of men and thrilling 

Them with altruistic love. The dead indeed 

Shall to life be warm'd by nearness of the sun, 

By the vision glorious electrified. 

Now the Son of Righteousness is born in every 

Behever's heart; their ways by Him are guided; yea. 

He shall rule all hearts; His law shall reign a thousand 

Years. In that day every man shall Christ's brother 

Be, each woman be His mother. Said He not, 

They that know the will of God and do it, these 

Are My mother and My brethren?^ When the people 

Know the will of God Most High, and do it, then 

And not till then, will be born the Child of Freedom. 

For the nations must work together, together 

Labor and each other love before they can 

E'en conceive their child. Then all must have the same 

Ideal ere they can produce an ideal child.* 

Not to-day the history of the human race 

May be known. In time the fragments we shall piece 

Together. Much will still be buried when we have pass'd 

Away. We can but know in part, but see in part 

Th' history of our own dear Mother Earth, while between 

Man and man such difference lies. The vast hordes must 

Come within the temple gates. 

That the multitude may after truth become 

Seekers, teachers must arise! One man five thousand 

Fed, to bread stones turning.^ Still the multitude 

Must be fed by one man or one woman; for 

Babes are yet the mass of men, and into infant 

Minds we must not put too many truths or thoughts 



244 The Child of the Nations 

Too strong for them to grasp. An esoteric circle 
Needs yet be, to husband that which would be wasted, 
Broadcast sown. In parables did Jesus speak 
Fearing the multitude would understand. The higher 
Wisdom twelve were taught;^ but only three were on 
The Mount where He with Moses and Elias talked. 
O! blest Peter, James and John! 
Golden truth by infant races learn'd often 
Lies for centuries hidden; Mother Earth herself 
Buries some and keeps it screened. Till the children 
All are ready for a share the harvest will 
Not be; as queen Rhea for her offspring jealous 
Is, and most desirous that one day they all 
Shall be poets, priests and seers. 

Though less than those now deem'd the prophets of the world. 
He, whose life was threatened from his birth, 
Who liv'd despite the verdict of the king 
That all male babes of Hebrew mothers die, 
Was by Seti's daughter spied when bathing 
By th' sacred stream of Nile, in ark of rushes; 
Home to th' palace she brought the child, and begged 
To keep the babe whose tears her pity stirred. 
She nam'd him Moses, from the water drawn, 
His sister watch'd, his mother nurs'd th' boy. 
He, rear'd in palace as the princess' son, 
By Egypt's seers was taught the mystic lore; 
So will'd th' Lord, that he might be prepared 
When time was ripe to lead his people forth 
To serve their Lord and God. From bondage freed, 
Across the sea made dry by Aaron's rod 



The Ideal 245 

Directed e'er by fire from Sinai's mount, 

Th' chosen children safely trod their way 

Where desert sand nor food nor water yields. 

Hence all their wants must needs be met by him 

Whom God had call'd, to lead them on and teach 

Their stubborn, untamed wills dependence firm 

On justice, mercy, beauty, right and truth. 

On Abram's, Jacob's, Isaac's Lord and God. 

For fourscore years Jehovah train'd the hand 

And mind of him who held the rod of power, 

That through this mighty leader Israel's host 

Should standard-bearers be for all the world. 

Grown strong through suffering much, and waiting long, 

They conquer'd far and near with God's own might. 

Nor e'er forgot to onward bear their ark. 

Their covenant with light and righteousness. 

But Moses oft was sorely tried by much 

Of superstition brought from Pharaoh's land. 

Far harder was the task to free their minds. 

And bring their souls to knowledge of the light, 

Than e'en to break the will of Egypt's king. 

And make free men of those so long born serfs. 

Often would he sit from morn 'til eve 

Hearing plaints, and judging right from wrong. 

Teaching those unlettered men the statutes 

Of the Lord, a law that all must learn. 

Zipporah's father gave him sage advice; 

Th' aged priest saw Moses' strength would fail 

If he decided all disputes; so heeding 

Jethro's voice, that able men be placed 



246 The Child of the Nations 

O'er tens, o'er fifties, hundreds and o'er thousands, 
To judge in matters small at every season, 
While he their leader bring the cases hard 
To God, thus Moses Jethro's council taking 
Gained time and strength to study nature's 
Laws. To Sinai's temple of the moon 
He oft repair'd to hear the voice of God's 
Own angel, who was guiding him and helping 
Him to find that inner shrine where God 
Instructs each child who makes his tabernacle 
Like that pattern seen upon the mount. 
Moses saw and heard beyond what men 
Oft see, and strove to teach his people laws: 
Of health, that make the body strong and pure; 
Of justice, that make keener, firmer minds; 
Of beauty, that enlarge the soul forever; 
And taught them reverence for law, and knowledge 
Of God their Father, Ruler, Maker, Friend. 
He dreamed not of the one predicted by Isaiah, 
Giant prophet! Boldest bard of Hebrew 
Race; who upward soar'd past ether blue. 
And found the Hght which was and is and is 
To be; who felt the pulse of God that throbs 
In every sun and star, yet loudest beats 
Within the heart of man; who knew the worlds, 
That circle true and those that wander far; 
Whose soul responded e'er to waves of light 
That few can feel; who saw so much of hidden 
Truth, and felt sincerely man's mistakes; 
Who strove to show the better way; who spoke 



The Ideal 247 

Out bravely, chiding all idolaters, 
Pointing plainly where the darkness lay. 
Telling that 'tis sin which hides the face 
Of God from man. Isaiah, blest with vision, 
Much thou urgest th' Israehte to rise 
And shine; to see the value true of trees 
And stones but worship only God, who giveth 
Health, who bringeth all to noonday Ught 
That follow truth, that feed the hungry, or 
Cheer his heavy-laden children sore 
AflElicted, through their sins gone far astray. 
Thou seer of seers who saw the Holy One 
Before his day, in vision clear thou sawest 
Him who came with garments stain'd from Edom; 
Thou knewest Him the One who came to save. 
And strove to make Him known to sinful man. 
Thy pen did paint a portrait fair and true; 
His gentle spirit shines in all thou sayest 
Of Him, the Bright and Morning Star, the Sun 
Of Righteousness who came with healing wings, 
On whom the spirit of our Father rests. 
No veil restrain'd thy sight, no fear of ill 
Befalling thee e'er kept the truth from hght. 
Revealing what was told to thee to future 
Races, thou hast ever comfort brought, 
Hast given joy and peace to many weary 
Hearts, reheving sadness, killing doubt. 
Bringing faith, refreshment, hope to life — 
A link in that great chain which binds us all to God. 
One there was among the seers of old 



248 The Child of the Nations 

Who sleeping or awake great visions had. 
A man mysterious he saw in fairest 
Linen clothed, with either hand upstretch'd. 
He saw his angel guide, and felt his touch, 
While on the ground with face cast down he lay. 
Th' magic touch reviving him, he heard 
Th' angel speak, and record bear of that 
To come, e'en though not understood by him. 
Daniel wrote what Gabriel said, and left 
A page whereon the wise may read a wholesome 
Lesson, when by faith their sight is cleared. 
Many dreams for mighty kings he erst 
Foretold, presaging troublous times; yet fear 
Ne'er still'd his voice declaring truth. In writing 
On the wall he plainly read dire portents. 
When wicked men would him destroy, in firm 
Reliance plac'd on God he pray'd, nor swerved 
From faith, though lions' den awaited him. 
When his deliverance Darius saw, 
Th' king rejoicing worshipp'd Israel's God, 
Th' Almighty, who to other lands also sent seers. 
0! thou great prophet! contemplative mind, 
Siddartha, noble born, with princely mien 
And mood, the Buddha called, rightly named, 
For knowledge came as easily as came the breath! 
Freed from superstition, truthful, pure, 
Hurting nothing, firm in self-control. 
Watchful ever, with highest thought aspiring, 
Often lost in wonder, pondering nature's 
Laws, thou sought'st and found'st that realm within, 



The Ideal 249 

Whence a channel upward leads to light. 

In meditation lost, as placid lake 

Set deep amid green hills reflects the sun 

By noon, the moon and stars by night, and gives 

Th' color back of every cloud at dawn, 

Or eve, so sees this soul the varied light. 

How came this lake so still, so mirror Hke 

Whose waters cool much slime and ooze conceal? 

Once with fearful storm and stress the rocks 

Flew forth, now hidden where tall cypress grow 

'Mid moss and hchen rare. The fire long quenched 

Had burned for ages, ere the rocks and lava 

Rich were driven forth from crater vast, 

To form this fair protective outer wall, 

Of green, which keeps the lake in shade secluded. 

So the Buddha after suff'ring long. 

Much resigned, emptied much from head 

And heart that barr'd th' way to radiant hfe! 

Then built a shell around his soul for shelter; 

Lived within his temple, where the fires 

Burnt low with richest glow, both warm'd his heart 

And lent a brilliant light unto his eyes 

Which told that all within was glorified. 

Th' king upon his throne did rule his realm, 

And knew the way to God's vast kingdom; 

Knew while earthly shroud encas'd his soul 

The joy of union with the Three in One; 

Lov'd that pasture green where rich refreshment 

Never fails; understood the going 

"In and out" which is the true Nirvana.^ 



250 The Child of the Nations 

Though call'd by other name this path was known to thee, 
O great Hellenic bard, thou child of rosy- 
Dawn, who taught'st the sisters nine to sing; 
Who gave'st to Greece her gods; who told'st of men 
A race heroic past belief, made strong 
By prayer, brave by faith in gods who hear 
And help all those who humbly ask their aid! 
O Homer, greatest poet earth has known! 
Come once again, and sing or whisper low 

• Th' secret, hidden long from muse and man. 
Of power to see beyond the veil, to presage 
Good or ill to come, to hide in loftiest 
Verse rare gems of thought, which come to light 
When sought by earnest man, yet lie concealed 
'Til time is ripe for truths so bright to burn. 
Great Ionian prophet, thou with satire 
Sure, disclos'dst wherein the weakness lay 
Of polytheistic creeds; thou sawest in all 
Above, below, the threefold life; didst teach 
Not only trinity of heaven, but earth, 
That man within him holds a light divine. 
By which he knows he is the son of God, 

Which tells him there's a Highest Good : as taught by one 
Of Kalandri, sweet village of the Attic 
Plain, whose name remains as birthplace of 
One good and great, who chose an humble walk 
In life, yet rose a star of magnitude 
So vast we fail to class him, whom we love 
And venerate so greatly. Teacher of 
Truths sublime, thou didst unlock new doors 



The Ideal 251 

Of thought to all the sages of thy day, 

And led the youth of Athens partly on 

The road to those high summits, where the laws 

Of love and life unfold as flowers unfold 

In sunlight. When thine eyes, so full of sacred 

Flame, the heavens searched for fuller truth. 

Thou sawest that same pattern on the mount 

Which had of old led wise men on, and still 

Will lead. Thou to Apollo's far-famed shrine 

Didst oft repair, where voice oracular thee 

Declar'd wisest far of mortals deemed 

Great and wise. Thy pupils were the orators. 

Poets and philosophers of Athens, 

Who shone by borrow'd Hght; while thou, their sun, 

Went'st meekly through the streets, so poorly clad 

Thy tatter'd garments oft made sport for youths, 

Who needed rich adornment, having naught 

Within themselves whereby to mark them men. 

Feehng no resentment, these and others 

Thou didst ply with playful questions, then 

Mildly laughing when their answers clearly 

Showed grave ignorance, with patient pains 

Thou would'st explain, with further questioning draw 

Out whate'er of knowledge each might have, 

Helping one and all, who came to thee. 

To learn that knowledge oft is recollection. 

Led by voice of woman, gone before. 

Once of Manteneia, Diotima 

Call'd, her faintest whisper in thine ear 

Was more to thee than all the clamor of 



252 The Child of the Nations 

Th' crowd — yea, more than minstrel song or solemn 
Chant of choir. Poetic dialogue 
Nor disputations philosophic held 
Such charm as e'er to cause thee to neglect 
Th' admonitions of thy daemon, sweet 
Spirit guide, thy other half perchance, 
At least the strongest force in all thy life 
This voice, which guided and sustained thee 
'Mid distraction dire and much perplexity. 
Ever thou a seeker after truth. 
Ever helper, counsellor and friend 
To those in need of consolation or 
Of light! Thou gavest freely of thy best; 
Far greater was thy gift than silver, gold 
Or costly jewels, for of these we oft 
Are robbed, while at death they surely go; 
But wisdom flowing from thy tongue homes 
Found in many weary hearts, and still 
Flows on through poets' pictured scene and Plato's 
Page, where those who will may find great pearls 
Still wet with tears that thousands, yea ten thousands, 
Wept at thy sublime heroic end! 
For more have needful lessons learn'd o'er thy 
Last cold slumber couch, than from thy most 
Burning words! In life a seeker after 
Truth; in death a truth revealer thou! 
Thy thought in ether halls fell earthward on a seer 
Who many days and nights entranced lay, 
His spirit bath'd in that same vivid light 
Which blinded Saul. His ears attuned caught 



The Ideal 253 

Faintest strains of perfect harmonies. 

The angel choirs were very near to him, 

They fed his rapturous soul with heav'nly meat 

Sustaining him in manner marvellous 

To simple folk, who fain would wake their seer 

From dreams celestial, earthly fare to give 

Him, not knowing that imperishable 

Meat and drink which oft sustain'd th' gentle 

Nazarene, and which He bade us seek. 

But Swedenborg had learn 'd to "enter in"; 

He knew the way to pastures green where living 

Waters flow; he sought and found the way 

To portals fair where truth is kept for those 

Who would be free. The door is open wide. 

The veil is very thin that parts the worlds 

Called Here and Over There. The light 

We fail to see so blinded by our tears. 

And downward look where clay is lain in grave. 

Thus losing chance to peer beyond the mortal 

Bar; where only those with vision cleared 

May see in happy days the face and form 

Though familiar, glorified, may touch 

Th' vanish'd hand; with breath controll'd and passion 

Held in check, may spirit voices hear 

And learn, when time is ripe, great lessons taught 

By seers in other worlds, to help make better 

This. For God sends forth His ministers 

As flames of fire,^ to warm the hearts and hght 

Th' minds of men, when they, with patient toil 

And anguish oft, have hewn the trees, have hoed 



2 54 The Child of the Nations 

Th' tares that clog the path to sunlit heights. 
Th' rain descends, but only harrow'd ground 
Can hold a heavy shower; where hard the earth 
Th' water runs away, the sun but harder 
Makes the ground. Thus 'tis with man, so taught 
Th' seer of Sweden nam'd Emanuel. 

And though these latter days the mystic rarer grows, 
To British isles, where queens oft rul'd, there came 
In good Victoria's day a poet-prophet. 
Vers'd in classic lore, in modern thought 
And mediaeval mysticism, with Christian 
Grace endued and understanding of 
Th' Word wherewith God light'neth feeble man. 
He saw the temple of the living God 
Wide as walls of world, its priests all men 
And women who together work for good. 
He chose a woman for his fireside mate. 
Whose genius was so rare, both brain and heart 
Upon her tender breast might rest secure, 
For she his soul had seen in verse ere she 
Beheld his face, nor failed to fan the fire 
Of thought in him she loved; while he, imlike 
Those artist souls who turn one face to wives 
And still a fairer keep for other love, 
Was sent to show the world howe'er so great 
Th' genius is; he needs but one to share 
His life. So Robert Browning fram'd for his 
Ideal of womanhood a double halo. 

As one in Germany years before had striven to do. 
Luther, fearless soul, who delv'd for truth 



The Ideal 255 

Harder than his father dug for ore, 
Found at length the Hght that comes to every 
Earnest seeker; saw the truth that freedom 
Yields; then with Herculean strength and Pauline 
Courage to Germany gave his burning message; 
Th' hearts of princes and dull peasants stirring, 
As the lightning which had killed his friend 
In youth, first prick'd th' conscience of th' man. 
Made him seek monastic life, where python 
Upon python vex'd his fervent soul 
Driving him to Hght. At Rome his full 
Awak'ning — he seeing canker at the core 
Home return'd, and fain would heal the wounds, 
Nor the body Catholic dismember. 
Yet as surgeon skilled life to save 
Does not hesitate to burn and sever. 
So this brave physician of the spirit 
Cut the habit cord and burn'd th' papal 
Bull; nor deem'd there was such rottenness 
Beneath the cloak of seeming saintliness. 
Openly now he work'd and plainly spoke; 
Naught abash'd to pope or king or scholar 
Wrote, as knowing whence his high commission 
Came: to make the common people reahze 
Gospel word, that all their doubts and burdens 
They should bring to Him their heav'nly King. 
Luther fram'd a Hturgy in German 
Tongue, thereby enriching language and 
Helping to democratize salvation: 
Hell was very real to him: God's 



256 The Child of the Nations 

Mercy larger! Faith the one redeeming 
Factor. Luther lov'd to preach in language 
Plain, that unlearn'd men might know their Saviour, 
Ever urging peace and good will, praying 
Princes not to slaughter, begging peasants 
Patiently bear burdens 'til a better 
Day should dawn, when all obey the Master 
Who to Peter said, Put up thy sword; 
Which precept now is urged by modern prophet's voice. 
As Habakkuk of old to Israel's God 
Did cry, lamenting violence in the land. 
Predicting woe to those who builded towns 
With blood, whose people labor in the fire 
To 'stablish by iniquity their kings. 
So Tolstoy, standing now on watch, does write 
Of crimes in Christian lands. In trenchant words 
He pleads with men to lay down arms, and live 
In peace, believing non-resistance is 
The way the Master taught; whose words undying 
Life and spirit are;^" who said no jot 
Of law should pass until it be fulfill'd. 
One step past .Luther, Tolstoy stands; yet he 
Resists th' laws his country makes, and teaches 
Evil comes of patriotism, not seeing 
Fearful consequences following doctrines 
That unbind the ties of tribal love. 
Again the mountains tremble, while the sea 
On high lifts up her hand; yet powerless is 
Man's prophetic voice to still the waves. 
While ignorance and doubt obscure the light. 



The Ideal 257 

Some still say it thunders when an angel speaks! 
Of dispensation new art thou the fullest 
Teacher, who the light saw, heard the voice 
Of one, the greatest of the sons of men, 
When He had risen from earth-life to spheres 
Where souls, whose work is done, are bathed in light 
Celestial. From on high thou heardest His 
Dear voice. O! blest the ears that hear, the eyes 
That see; but far more blessed those that give; 
And thou, O Paul, hast freely given thy 
Vision rare to all who read the sacred 
Page; hast record borne of all thou heard'st. 
Thou a Jew, well vers'd in Moses' law, 
A Roman, free-born, learn'd in classic lore, 
A vessel fit for highest use, with ardor 
And with vim thou sought'st to root out wrong. 
Believing superstitious error wrapt 
In teaching of the Nazarene, thou worked'st 
With all thy might to persecute the men 
Who preach'd His word, disciples of the Lord, 
Until the light which blinded thee thy spirit 
Flooded; while the voice so fill'd thy soul 
That truth was seen, and henceforth thou becamest 
A follower of the Lamb. Apostle great, 
Who preach'd th' Christ, who hfted veil on veil 
That hid the ark from man, vast debt we owe 
To thee, great Saul of Tarsus, that thou feared'st 
Not to break the warp and woof of old-time 
Prejudice, and plainly set the lamp 
Of life before all nations. The light of Him 



258 The Child of the Nations 

Who walks in midst of golden candlestick ^^ 
No longer is for Jew alone, nor Greek, 
Nor Roman, but for all the world. Blest John 
So said. But thou removest veils of fear, 
Telling us of soul and spirit bodies 
That live beyond the grave, when man has put 
On immortality; conquering thus the sting. 
Thou makest us see that death is e'en a victory! 
Though souls like stars in brightness differ ever, 
From glory unto glory shall we go. 
Until the vision all behold as did St. John, 
Belov'd disciple of the meek and lowly 
One. He saw the dove descending, heard 
Th' voice, and knew the Word had come to dwell 
On earth in fleshly habit veiled; come 
To bring the light in fuller force, to fallen 
Man. Great truths didst thou behold, blest John, 
Well call'd Divine; for thou didst see in every 
Son the potencies of God, though clad 
In clay so long. That we should be as gods 
Thou dared'st proclaim! Dear prophet thou of hidden 
Truths, so deep God's children scarcely yet 
Believe that all are incarnations bright 
Of one great Light. Some feebly shine, 'tis true, 
Some still are sunk so deep in mire no pure 
Bright ether fans the spark divine to flame. 
But thou the Word Incarnate saw; then knew 
Each child of God must hold within some part 
Of perfect substance, knit with cords unseen 
Except by Love, our Father, whose breath we are; 



The Ideal 259 

Who sent the Pattern Man, our Elder Brother; 
Receiving whom, we all like Him shall be, 
When we have left our mortal shrouds for robes of light. 
O! Thou Eternal Word of God, Most Holy 
One! Before all worlds thou wast, and knew 
The reason man had stray'd so far from heaven 
And chosest to come in human form, to lead 
Thy wayward brothers home again. Not past 
Belief this act of thine, in lowly sphere 
To dwell on earth awhile, to teach mankind 
How best to conquer sin, and climb to better 
Worlds. Thy coming was predicted many 
Times ! Thy birth and life and death foretold 
By prophets manifold, who knew the need 
Of fuller light for races held in darkness long. 
By faith they saw thy star arising. 
Before it shed its Hght o'er Bethlehem. 
When thou in human form wast born of Mary 
Angels sang rejoicing, heralding 
The long-expected King to farthest Sun 
And star. Thou cam'st fulfilling, not destroying. 
Law; who knewst the order, strength and force 
Of God's most holy laws; who addedst grace, 
Mercy, truth and love to all the seers 
Had taught in bygone days; who livedst a Hfe 
Of temperance, of meekness, full of faith 
And goodness manifest; the gentlest man 
In action, judgment, speech, long-sufi'ring thou, 
With fruits of spirit filled. Thou didst feed 
The hungry, heal the halt and lame and blind, 



26o The Child of the Nations 

Anointing those with oil made ready for 

Thy word; that they might hand the precious balm 

To other souls, when time had mould'd them. 

Thy wisdom flow'd in streams so full and pure 

That all may drink, and strength imbibe, from that 

Great fountain, which to those who freely take 

Gives life and light and immortality. Jesus, 

Perfect Man- God, thou to show the way 

Didst come. And shall thy coming be in vain 

Because old Adam lures his seed the same 

To-day as in times past, to taste the fruit 

Forbidden? Then in death's firm clutches held, 

His children cry aloud for help, yet fail 

To walk the way that thou hast shown, a path 

All pav'd with sacrifice and suff'ring. This 

Thou didst tread; thy tender feet were pierced; 

Thy fair white hands did bleed; from out thy side 

Flowed forth the precious blood, and thorns 

Thy brow adorn'd — all this, and more, to show 

To erring man the way thou suffered'st. 

To learn vast truths God's children struggle on; 

Yet, fighting on earth's pleasure ground, they fail 

And fall, to rise and fight again. So bruis'd. 

So blind, they seldom see the narrow gate^^ 

That leads to heights and vantage ground, which gain'd, 

Thy promised light beheld, they travel swiftly 

Towards the truth, and know the way eternal 

Life is given. Though steep the path, and hard 

To climb, yet light grows brighter step by step, 

While here and there a thorn from out thy crown 



The Ideal 261 

Still tells thy faithful followers thou hast gone 
Before! So precious truth, so blessed life, 
Why hesitate when shown the only way. 
All hail ! Thou greatest prophet of God's grace, 
So full of truth and life thou wast and art. 
Our priest and king, blest Saviour of mankind, 
Who the perfect fruit of chosen people art. 
Not without deep meaning was one couple placed 
'Midst scenes peculiarly adapted to their needs, 
That through them God might make a special race. 
Th' people from this pair descended, who in Eden 
Found their covering coats of skin prepar'd by God, 
Th' poet said, were called chosen naturally 
Enough; for over and over again we see some part 
Of this rare race miraculously saved, then 
Separated and educated for particular 
Careers, consciously or unconsciously directed 
By God's minist'ring spirits,^* led in all their ways — 
Though the leading sometimes is mysterious. 
Often strange, the goal is something much desired. 
Individuals singled out the bidding of 
Th' Lord to do are always men of faith. Had Abram 
E'en a little deviated from directions 
Given him when told to sacrifice his son. 
He would not have found the magic rod for centuries 
Hidden in Moriah's land, whose power, like 
That of many another mystic force, increased 
By wisely exercising it. 

After Daniel's time, for full five hundred years, 
No one arose who understood its use. Awaiting 



262 The Child of the Nations 

Then the day of Aaron's reappearing, 'twas 

In the temple at Jerusalem preserved/^ 

There by Joseph found and with him buried. The chosen 

People guided by their Lord, through leaders who 

The rod did wield, their mission had fulfill'd on earth. 

Separated from the races barbarous. 

In the fullness of time this people produced a woman 

Fit to be the mother of th' Messiah; so 

Israel's Child was born on earth. 

After many settings here and elsewhere, on 

Rhea's breast, the Sun of Righteousness arose! 

A second Adam, prophet, priest and king. He came, 

Not as Adam did to Eden, but in lonely 

Cave; was of a Virgin born, a woman pure 

Enough a hero to produce. By His desire 

An obscure life He led; but was in all things tempted 

Like as we are; willingly did suffer death, 

That the prophecies concerning him fulfill'd 

Might be. He descended into hell and the third, 

Day He rose again, first fruits of them that sleep. 

Having given to earth this Pattern Man, the mission 

Of the chosen people is fulfilled. Scattered 

Hither and thither among the less progressive peoples 

Of the earth, the remnant of this race, the seed 

Plant of Righteousness. Their tree its fruit has borne. 

Nations that an ideal have must lend a helping 

Hand to weaker and less favor'd sister nations. 

As our blest country ministers now to feebler powers. 

For America has conceiv'd a child, a goddess. 

Liberty named. She has not yet been born, nor can 



The Ideal 263 

Be 'til liberty realized is. She is the greatest 

Child that any nation will produce; greater 

Than Athene born from Zeus' head; yes, greater 

Than Saint George who kill'd th' dragon; greater than 

Saint Patrick or the mighty Thor, yet she is not 

Great enough. The Child of th' Nations must combine 

Knowledge, wisdom, loyalty, beauty, all the best 

Thoughts conceiv'd by each alone; the union of 

Strength in peace, the sum of virtues when they love. 

Th' Child that shall be born on Rhea's breast, when good 

will 
Reigns on earth, is Freedom. Only one is greater 
Than this God of Freedom, which will be the Cosmic 
Child, and not on Rhea born; while dream'd of on 
Every sphere, and longed for by many, it can 
Only realized be when souls from dross are all 
Freed and married as Eros and Psyche were in heaven. 
Planets likewise mates are seeking, craving union, 
So through many changes go and disciplines 
Stern, not always singing as they shine, but sometimes 
Wailing, sometimes crying loud with agony keen. 
Going through experiences that at last will quite 
Wear out their frames. A very short-lived sphere is Rhea. 
After the thousand years of peace mankind forever 
Will this planet leave. Her work for others done, 
Low will burn her fires and gradually die. 
Then her mountains, hills and plains, will all sink down 
Towards her great heart. The seas will once again 
Cover all the land. When every spark of fire 
Has been extinguish'd, and the earth has fold'd her arms 



264 The Child of the Nations 

Closely, th' waters will come up and cover her 

Worn-out body, like a winding-sheet for burial. 

As the individual's body, when the fire 

Is gone, returns to earth, the ashes to ashes and 

Th' dust to dust; the planets each in turn, when their 

Fire, which is their life, dies out, return to the sun. 

Earth to earth and water to water. 

Only a few more thousand years, and Rhea called 

Home will be, her work at end. We, who perchance 

Have many times enjoyed life here, will not mourn 

For her, while from a higher planet or the spheres 

We watch her flight through interstellar space, and see 

Her drop into the sun. Her day is done; her night 

Now Cometh. She will be one to hear the words "Well 

done" 
In the glad morn; for so many wayward, prodigal, 
Sons of God our Father have liv'd and loved, pillow'd 
On her bosom, and produc'd through her the great 
Child, the God of Freedom; Child of all the Nations 
Of the earth, which to the greatest child of all, 
Love, the Cosmic Child, is kin. 
After birth of freedom love is then first seen. 
Not on any planet, nor on any sun, 
Not until the days of earth are done, can this 
Child of Love be born. When all have reach'd th' last 
Terrestrial sphere, where spirits answer each to each, 
There uniting go into the purging fire, 
Th' second death, which hurts none who has overcome^^ — 
Only now of love the meaning can the soul 
Comprehend. From that great tree of life, whose leaves 



The Ideal 265 

Healing give to nations, the fruit they pluck, which when 

Partaken of makes one those whom before all worlds 

God has destin'd each for each. These souls united 

Know the sum of those experiences each 

Upon the way has gain'd. They give to one another 

All the best, desiring each to see the other 

First, to feel the other blest. At last the soul 

Sees its other self, and that so often longed 

For is realized, which cannot be possessed 

Until the soul is whole. United now they rise 

To spheres celestial, and know that God is good. 

Love of father, mother, brother, friend or child. 

Love of earth-mates here or mates in other spheres — 

All are rounds upon the ladder stretched from 

Earth to heaven, aids in climbing steep ascents, 

Help for those who grasp the rounds together; whether 

Joy or sorrow be their portion, love is still 

Stamping its indelible mark upon their hearts, 

Slowly moulding souls; for love is part of God. 

As a single ray of light, that through the casement 

Blinds comes peeping, on which the motes of dust are dancing, 

Is the same as that which beams upon the clearest 

Lake : so love is one, though just a slender thread 

Often mix'd with clay, and never fully felt, 

'Til the ladders all are left behind, the mountains 

Gained whose rocky sides by pilgrims best are climbed 

Who unburden'd walk with naught of earth attire. 

Just before the topmost peaks are reach'd, the last 

Great giant rocks are scaled, refreshment meets th' aspiring 

Soul; for through the gap is seen a dazzling vision. 



266 The Child of the Nations 

Space is naught in these celestial spheres; no distance 
Baffles sight. Though separated by a vast 
Sea of glist'ning light so white it almost blinds 
One unus'd to actual light, when spiritual 
Sight is ours we may behold across this shining 
Sea (which none can pass before the second death) 
The city of our Father and our God, outlined 
In light, but little builded. Amaz'd we ask the reason 
Why, and read the answer in our guide's kind eyes. 
For souls redeem 'd is that fair land, for God's dear children 
An everlasting habitation when their wand'rings 
All are over. To it each child must bring a stone, 
A metal, fruit and flower, gather'd on the way. 
Some, not all, bring trees and lights and jewels bright. 
Many children still are loit'ring in the valleys; 
Only a few have cross'd th' shimm'ring sea, and fewer 
Have gone home to stay. Th' faithful ones of that 
Chosen race now light the golden candlestick. 
Which in centre of the four-square city stands, 
Fashion'd like the one upon the mount, which Moses 
Saw, and pattern'd for the ark. Twelve others, in 
Shape and size alike though each of different metal, 
Will light the city's stately gates, when you and I 
Shall, with others yet unborn, our places take 
On flowers that now for fruits are waiting that we are work- 
ing 
To produce. The base that holds the branches up 
Is three steps high; each centre is a lamp with seven 
Flames; beside the lamp two trees do grow,^® for golden 
Candlestick the olive, cypress for the copper. 



The Ideal 267 

By various metals other trees attracted are, 

Whose topmost leaves the lamps o'erlap; they speak of 

those 
Anointed ones, on whom the holy oil descends 
And burns them into one. The lamps on either side 
Are deck'd with branches three, each crown'd with seven- 

petal'd 
Flowers which have for centre candles three by myriad 
Color'd lights surround'd. Some are stars, some meteors. 
Comets, diamonds, squares and leaves or bars of varied 
Brilliance; worn on forehead of each one who a crown 
Has gain'd, won on battlefields of earth where dragons 
Dwell, and carried it to dizzy heights. Each flower 
By thousands of such Hghts illumined is, while two 
Flowers o'er each pearly gate their lights do shed. 
Copper and aluminum, with Aryan or Teutons 
Fill'd, join hands. The silver for Caucasian with 
Teuton intertwines. In groups of three the corners 
Of the four-square town are build'd. Pelasgic lead, 
Saracen of steel and Cyclopean iron, 
Races past and gone; Turanian creto. Etrurian 
Sterile, Gallic radium undevelop'd here; 
Slavic bronze, Mongolian brass, Malaysian zozo, 
Metals much resembling one another. These 
Races twelve on their respective candlesticks 
Keep the gates of New Jerusalem; while Semitic, 
Separated from the other peoples of 
Th' earth, their golden candlestick upon the golden 
Street with crystal river flowing underneath, 
Have Orion, noble fighter, with belt and sword 



268 The Child of the Nations 

Undimmed — though among zodiacal signs no longer 

He holds his true position first upon the Spiral 

Stairs; for from the centre candlestick two spiral 

Flights of iridescent mica steps to nine 

Branched mica candlestick ascend, where three 

Laurel trees about its nine-flam'd lamp do stand. 

The lyre its constellation is, with Vega bright. 

From its centre glist'ning epho stairs go upwards 

In three spiral flights to epho candlestick, 

Like in pattern to the mica, and with flowers 

Petall'd nine, and trees of Greek pink myrtle, with 

Ursa Minor and the Polar Star, great Saa! 

Epho and mica lighter, brighter are than gold. 

Yet far more radiant metals are, whose names on earth 

Will not be known, which form three candlesticks with 

branches 
Twelve and flowers petall'd twelve. No lamp have these, 
Constellation none; but vines with pure white flowers 
Cluster around the Triune throne, where three great flowers 
Unite: the Dion, Sion, Lion, Source of Light! 
These no mortal eye may see. 
Beyond our comprehension nine dimensions, three 
We know, and dimly apprehend the space between 
Th' atoms; but the note has not been blown which shall 
Break the walls that hold us down to seven tones. 
Slower sound precedes the swifter light; then blow, 
Bugle, lead us on to sight. 

Wave on wave of shimm'ring light must beat upon 
Th' shore, the rocks to sand be ground, and welded into 
Stones again and o'er again in ceaseless round, 



The Ideal 269 

Ere the children of our God be gather'd all 

There to see a spectacle sublime, which will 

Only come when planets, moons, and suns have finish'd 

Work; when all the worlds in arms of Saa rest; 

When Fedrus stars their atoms all have burnt of metal, 

Wood and earth. When fire and water reunite. 

Making great electric lights, and not till then, 

Comes the crack of doom! Then having finish'd giving 

Birth to stellar systems, on its little end 

Th' cosmic egg will stand. The larger end, the great 

Dome that forms the canopy of sky, will then 

Break! The shell will roll away, consum'd by real 

White light, which is heat and light and love combined. 

All we call material here, the universe 

Visible to earth eyes, will forever pass. 

We no more shall miss it than the butterfly misses 

Its cocoon, than chestnuts miss their burrs, than bodies 

Miss their worn-out clothes, than spirits miss their shrouds 

Of clay. The visible universe is but the garment 

Of the Most High God, the shell of the cosmic egg; 

Its purpose will have serv'd when all created souls 

To bear white light are strong enough. Its use has been 

God's weak creatures to conceal and shelter, as 

Tiniest shell the smallest protoplasm doth protect 

'Til consum'd to serve upon a higher plane. 

Here below all but reflection is of that 

Above; nothing is manifest without a cause. 

Every wee flame threefold is : The inner red. 

Then yellow light; from red and yellow which combined 

Make the orange, blue proceeds. The first division 



270 The Child of the Nations 

Then of light will ever give these three prime colors, 

The source of heav'nly fire a triune force. The centre 

Which sends forth and ever feeds the flame, the great 

Heart, the Core, the Maker of the Chords, is red; 

Yellow, the Light Begetter, Holy One, Eternal 

Logos! World Creator, Son upon the Throne; 

While the Host, the Holy Ghost, proceeding from 

Father and from Son, who with the Father and 

Th' Son together will be glorified, is blue, 

Th' base of light's triangle. These are not three gods 

But One, dependent each upon the other. For 

Th' Most High God cannot be Father 'til the Son 

Comes forth. Unless His creatures live, no true Creator 

Is the Son. The Holy Ghost can ne'er be holy 

Until it is entire. This negative, feminine portion 

Of the Godhead is dispersed now throughout 

The whole creation. By it all things are conceived, 

Spirit of the Living God, which animates 

All of Nature, holds the dust, and forms it into 

Myriad shapes and hues until the dust by light 

Is transformed. Each atom of the flame must glow, 

Cling close each to each, and show its color true. 

When time is ripe, when seed and stem and bud and flower 

Give to fruit the place, this spirit which of God's 

Nostrils is the Breath, is Man! 

Much divided now this spirit is; a few 

Only have forever shed their shells. These are 

Nam'd th' heavenly host. But one has gone to highest 

Place, our Leader, Lucifer, The First Begotten 

Of the Father, Fallen One; who rising with 



17 



The Ideal 271 

Healing in his wings became Redeemer and 

Lover of earth-man. The Alpha and Omega - 

Now in centre of the golden candlestick 

Walking, carries in his hand the lamp with seven 

Flames, and bears in his immortal body wounds, 

With whitest hght transfigur'd, which he bore for us. 

Others still are fighting in dark caverns of 

Planetary spheres; they fight and fall and rise, 

Fall again and battle on and on, until 

Light within them overcomes the dark; until 

Th' ember flames and rises, fann'd with breezes which 

From on high will surely come to each aspiring 

Soul. To will the right, to shun the wrong will always 

Conquer. Though the night be long the day will dawn. 

Some there be who sin against the Holy Ghost, 

The god within; through self-will from th' vine they're 

sever 'd; 
Souls cut off from God are blotted out. Each child 
Is free to choose; but every one who goes astray, 
Every one who loiters on the way, retards 
Th' upward march of all the host. The note of triumph 
Which the leaders long to hear, cannot be sounded 
'Til the children all accord. As yet but few 
There, and fewer Here, the thought of universal 
Love possess; when born, on all the earth shall reign 
Peace and good will. When all think love, not till then, 
By all Humanity can the Child conceived be. 
All that holds the Three in One is Love, the One 
In Three, the Child which is to be. 



NOTES 
PROLOGUE 



I. knocked: 

St. Matthew vii. 



2. enter in: 

St. Matthew vii. 13. 

3. has produced: 

Israel. 

4. Semele: 

Semele, daughter of Cadmus, King of Thebes, asking Zeus to 
appear in all his glory, was killed by lightning. Read Schiller's 
drama Semele. 

"For Semele once to vengeance given 
Now waves her flowery locks in heaven." 

— Pindar's First Olympic Ode, II strophe. 

5. Daphne: 

Nothing remains of Daphne's epic of 1 1,000 lines. A hill north 
of Athens still bears her name. Near by, on the sacred road to 
Eleusis, is the convent of Daphne, built over an ancient temple 
to Apollo. 

6. deemed mad: 

"And in proportion prophecy is more perfect and august than 
augury, both in name and fact; in the same proportion, as the 
ancients testify, is madness superior to a sane mind, for the one 
is only human, but the other of divine origin." — Socrates, in 
the Phaedrus. 244. 

"The third kind is the madness of those who are possessed by 
the Muses; which taking hold of a delicate and virgin soul, and 
there inspiring frenzy, awakens lyrical and all other numbers, 
with these adorning the myriad actions of ancient heroes for 
the instruction of posterity. But he who has no touch of the 
Muses' madness in his soul, comes to the door and thinks that he 
will get into the temple by the help of art — he, I say, and his 
poetry are not admitted." — Plato's Phaedrus. 245. Jowett's 
translation. 

273 



2 74 Notes 

CANTO I 

1. The Creator: 

Colossians i. 15. 16. 

2. before created worlds: 

Psalms xc. 2. 

3. to be like Him: 

Genesis i. 26. 27. I John iii. 2. 

3. attracted water: 

The mother star of our Sim is the center of the Southern Cross. 

5. not all are suns called: 

The Pleiades are asteroids, Aldebaran is a planet! 

6. electric lights: 

Vega in Lyra is one of these. 

7. oft repeated lives: 

Thought for Help, by William C. Comstock, 1913, page 67: 
Eleanora. 

"Each of our terrestrial existences is but an episode of our im- 
mortal life." — Here and Hereafter, page 133, Leon Denis. 
Translated by George G. Fleurot. Brentano, 1909. 

8. lower lives had lived: 

That is, on other planets. 

9. Noe, whose ramparts were the sea: 

Nahum iii. 8. 

10. before they are unrolled: 

The record of our deeds in all our lives is on a scroll which we 
sometimes call the subconscious mind. This we may unroll 
when the way we have learned. 

11. Born in Skien: 

Ibsen. 

12. in spirit belongs to Germany: 

Thorwaldsen, the Danish sculptor. See Canto XII. 



Notes 275 

13. their town's late tribute: 

On the sooth anniversary of the birth of Petrarch the citizens 
of Padova unveiled a statue of the poet. 

14. in Antenor's town: 

Padova was founded by Antenor, a brother of Priam, shortly 
after the Trojan War. 

In the Chapel of Santa Maria del Arena, Giotto has painted 
Dante as one of the Saints going to heaven. (This at the time 
of Dante's exile from Florence.) 



CANTO II 

1. O great negative mother! 

Not Rhea, the earth mother, but that primeval stuff which 

enters into the being of each one of us. 

"And the great Mother, full of divinity, who comes forth 

through life, standing hid in secret, who was born through 

creatures." — From the Upanishads, "In the House of Death." 

Part II. Translated by Charles Johnston. 

The poet of Genesis undoubtedly thought that God was male 

and female. Genesis i. 26. 27. 

2. twin lights: 

Phoebus Apollo and Artemis. 

3. Rhea: 

The name of this planet on which we now live. 

4. Pleistocene: 

Post-tertiary age. "Pre-Indian Inhabitants of North Amer- 
ica." — N. Horace Winchell. 

5. still upright: 

Genesis iii. 14. 

6. one with wisdom: 

Sap — sapient. 



276 Notes 



7. in Greece: 

"Many great and wonderful deeds were recorded of your state 
in our histories. But one of them exceeds all the rest in great- 
ness and valour. For these histories tell of a mighty power 
which unprovoked made an expedition against the whole of 
Europe and Asia and to which your city put an end." — Plato's 
Timaeus. 25. 

8. second on our planet: 

Canto I. 120-24; also 155-58. 

"There have been, and will be again, many destructions of 
mankind arising out of many causes; the greatest have been 
brought about by the agencies of fire and water and other 
lesser ones by innumerable other causes ... in the first 
place, you remember a single deluge only." — Plato's Timaeus. 

23- 

9. e'en serpents came: 

In the Acropolis museum at Athens is a gigantic serpent with 
three human heads, sculptured from Egyptian porous rock. 

ID. cult was uppermost: 

"The Dawn of Astronomy." Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer. 
Macmillan, New York, 1894. 

11. three seasons to the year: 

This was so for a long time in Greece. The three Hours pre- 
sided over the seasons as well as the day. 

12. in his native land: 

Numbers xiii. 23. 24. 

13. Hathor: 

A favorite name for Isis. 

14. many veils: 

Exodus xxvi. zZ-i xxxiv. 33-35. St. Matthew xxvii. 51. 

15. the sign of life: 

Usually of bronze, containing a number of loose hooks. Seen 
to-day in many museums. A large number in the Thermae of 
Diocletian at Rome. 



Notes 277 



16. sacred serpent: 

The Uraeus. 

17. mighty Menes: 

Lamed, in "Seventy Centuries," calls this king Mena. See 
National Geographical Magazine, September, 1913, page 1041. 

18. Ptah-hotep: 

"The primitive archet)T)e of all gentlemen." — A Multitude of 

Counsellors. — J. N. Larned, 1901. 

Instruction of Ptah-hotep, translated from the Egyptian by 

Battiscome G. Gunn. — E. P. Button & Co., 1910. 

Records of the Past, new series, London, 1890. 

19. great obelisks: 

One was afterwards sent to London, and one to New York. 

20. its history telHng: 

A careful reading of the Old Testament with knowledge of the 
KabbaUstic signs in it will give the history of Adam's rod. 
Introduction to the Kabbalah. Christian D. Ginsburg. 
London. 

21. to divide the waters: 

Exodus xiv. 21-28. Joshua iii. 16. 

Egyptian Tales of the Magicians from the Westcar papyrus. 
In Baufra's Tale we read of a man who by magic speech di- 
\aded the waters of a lake. 



CANTO III 

1. to Hfe on Rhea: 

The Malaysians, Uke aU other autochthonous races, had lives 
elsewhere before coming here. See Canto I. 85-92. 

2. the earhest: 

Persia, Egypt, and Greece. See Canto I. i45~48- 

3. the Upanishads: 

The dramatic element in the Upanishads. — Monist, April, 1910. 



278 Notes 

4. e'en though unrecognized: 

From the Upanishads, translated by Charles Johnston. 
Mosher, 1897. 

5. Vyasa's bouquet of verses: 

Translator's Epilogue. The Maha-bharata condensed into 
English verse by Romesh Dutt, C. I. E. Dent, 1898. 

6. peace at last: 

The Bhagavad Gita. Translated by Lionel D. Barnett. 
Dent, 1905. 

7. migrated into India: 

Canto III. Lines 19-24. 

The Iranians began to settle in the Punjab about 1400 B. C. 
The Uterature of India, especially the Malaysian drama, was 
many centuries earHer than the Engish critics of to-day admit. 

8. the cause of suffering: 

Book Eighth, The Light of Asia, Sir Edwin Arnold. 

9. the valor of a queen: 

Chand Bibi, queen of Ahmadnagar, page 137, A Brief History 
of the Indian Peoples, Sir WiUiam Wilson Hunter, 1897. 



CANTO IV 

1. Gave them light: 

Laotse never claimed to have written the works on Taoism now 
frequently accredited to him. 

2. cult of Shu: 

Canto II, 90-97. Canto III, 1-9. The Shu-King, translated 
from the Chinese by James Legge. Sacred Books of the 
East, Vol. III. 

3. ablest of the Mongol leaders. 

Genghis Khan. 



Notes 279 



CANTO V 

1. Firdausi's poetic page: 

The Shah Nameh, translated by James Atkinson, Esq. 

2. robes resembling fish: 

Layard's Nineveh. Colored plate of Temple of Nun. 

3. Assyria: 

Genesis x. 1 1 . 

4. Peleg's day: 

Genesis xi. 16-19. 

5. condemning to virginity : 

Judges xi. 37-39. 

The unsexing of maidens was thought by the Greeks to be 
pleasing to Artemis. Iphigenia in Aulis, Hecuba, Euripides. 
Pompeian frescoe, the sacrifice of Iphigenia. 

6. Ephod: 

Exodus xxviii. 4. 30. Judges xvii. 5. I Samuel xxx. 7. Ezra 
ii. 63. Nehemiah vii. 65. 

7. the mantle which was Aaron's rod: 

II Kings ii. 14, iv. 29. 

WiUiam Blake's picture of EUjah's chariot where the rod is seen 

descending. 

8. Judith: 

Book of Judith, Apocryphal Old Testament. 

9. to God present: 

Book of Tobias, Apocryphal Old Testament. 
Protevangelion, Apocryphal New Testament. 

10. the measure of man: 

Ezekiel x. 21., xli. 8-11. Revelation xiii. 11. 17. 18. The 
esoteric value of any number is the sum of its digits. 

11. seven-flamed lamp: 

Exodus XXV. 37. Numbers viii. 2. Zechariah iv. 2. 



28o Notes 

CANTO VI 

1. Hamaguchi: 

This tale is related in Unfamiliar Japan, Lafcadio Heam. 

2. the blossoms might defile : 

"If I pluck them the touch of my hand will defile; therefore 
standing in the meadows as they are I offer these wind-blown 
flowers to the Buddhas of the past, the present, and the future." 
— Ideals of the East, page 129. Kakasu Okukura. 

3. Aaron's rod of old: 

Exodus vii. 10-12. 

4. or almond: 

Jeremiah i. 11. 

5. one body to another: 

"As the Body's Tenant goes through childhood and manhood 

and old age in the body, so does it pass to other bodies." — 

Lesson the Second. Bhagavad Gita. 

"Many times the soul returns to be each time reclothed in 

another mantle." — ^Thought for Help, page 65. William C. 

Comstock. 

The Child of the Dawn. A. C. Benson. 



CANTO VII 

1. Antyos: 

A rock portrait of this Titan, in the Museum at Athens, marked 
800 B. C, is evidently a replica of a much older statue. 

2. Tethys: 

A rock portrait in the Museum at Athens of the same age as 
Antyos is marked "Demeter (?)," a bad guess of the archaeol- 
ogists. 

3. Peleg was divided: 

Genesis x. 25. 



Notes 281 



4. first in lore historic: 

The Ante-Hellenic Pelasgians. Grote's History of Greece 10 
Volumes, 1888. Vol. II, page 189. 

"They are the earliest race which appear to have exercised a 
dominant power in Greece." Athens, Its Rise and Fall, 
Edward Lytton Bulwer. Page 5, Vol. I. 

5. his palace rose: 

When Cecrops' palace on the Acropolis of Athens was excavated 
it yielded many interesting Egyptian antiquities. 

6. Solemnized: 

Eleusinian Mysteries, Isaac Taylor. 

"Thrice happy they who having seen these rites 

Then pass to Hades; there to these alone 

Is granted life! All others evil find." Sophocles, fragment. 

"Blessed is he who having looked on them 

Passes below the hollow earth, for he knows Ufa's true end and 

Zeus-given sov'reignty." — Pindar. 

7. to save her spouse: 

Alcestis, Euripides. 

For dramatic effect the poet substitutes Herakles for ^scula- 

pius as the deliverer of Alcestis. 

8. was drowned: 

The well is still shown at Corinth in which Glauke is said to 
have drowned. 

9. Amazon's son: 

Hippolytus Crowned, Euripides. 

10. left his Helen: 

Page 156. Vol. I. Grote's History of Greece. 
Life of Theseus, Plutarch. 

11. Electra said: 

Orestes, Euripides. 

12. Polyxena suffered: 

Canto V. Note 6. The sacrifice of Polyxena was supposed to 
appease the shade of Achilles. Hecuba, Euripides. 



2»2 



Notes 



13. tragic poems: 

The Iliad and Odyssey, first written in dramatic form, were 
acted in the streets of Miletus during the lifetime of their 
author, Homer, an Hellenic Greek bom on the island of Chios. 
He wrote on parchment in ideograms, using the Akkadian 
language. What we call Homeric Greek is of the time of 
Pisistratus the tyrant of Athens, who was induced by Solon to 
have the Homeric poems transcribed. They were much 
mutilated, and at this time given epic form. 

14. Minos' laws: 

Since the finding of Minos' palace at Knossos in Crete (1907) he 
and his laws can no longer be called mythic. — ^The Sea Kings of 
Crete, by Rev. James Baikie, National Geographic Magazine, 
January, 191 2, September, 19 13. 

15. rocks of time: 

Prometheus Bound, ^schylus. 

16. Bacchus' Youngest Child. 

Euripides. 

17. never has been mute: 

On the Pythian Responses. Theosophical Essays, Plutarch. 



CANTO VIII 

1. Etrurian art: 

The city of Cumae, buried by an eruption of Mt. Avernus, 475 
B. C, in the 19th century A. D. 3delded rare art treasures now 
in the Museum at Naples. 

2. change its name: 

Now the Tiber called. 

3. iEtna vomiting fire: 

This eruption was witnessed by Pindar and iEschylus, who 
both allude to it: ist Pythian Ode, II strophe, Pindar; 
Prometheus Boimd, ^schylus. 



Notes 283 

4. plains of Sicily: 

Greece and Sicily, 2 Vols. John Addington Symonds. 

5. A lasting name: 

I St Olympic Ode, I antistrophe. Pindar. 

6. famed speech: 

Book XXXIV. History of Rome, Livy. 

7. dream came true: 

Scipio's dream is given in full by Cicero, in his "de Divina- 
tione." 

8. Pharsalus was: 

See epic poem by Lucan (Pharsalia), too little read. 

9. his pastorals: 

The Georgics. 

10. shines on forever: 

Book Vr. iEneid, Vergil. 

11. Anne and Joachim: 

The Protevangelion and Gospel of Mary. Apocryphal New 
Testament. 

12. ever call her blessed: 

St. Luke i. 28-48. 

13. dove did perch: 

Isaiah xi. i. 

Giotto's fresco in Santa Maria del Arena at Padova. 

14. with Moses and Elias talked: 

St. Matthew xvii. 3. St. Mark ix. 4. 5. 

15. imputed to another: 

"All thou seest doth with God abound. God is alike in all 
and always to be found." — Spoken by Cato in Lucan's Phar- 
salia, Book IX. 



284 Notes 

16. worship of Isis he explained: 

Plutarch's Theosophical Essays. 

17. virility: 

I Corinthians vii. 37. 

Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Book I. Sec. xiv. 

18. ministering angels: 

Hebrews i. 7. 14. St. Luke xxii. 43. 

On the Cessation of Oracles X, Theosophical Essays, Plutarch, 

19. Beatrice Cenci's grave. 

In the Church of St. Peter Martyr on the Janiculum at Rome — 
perhaps the oftener shown because unnamed. 



CANTO IX 

1. Atlantides: 

(See Canto II. 1 21-149.) 
Plato's Timaeus, 25. 26. 

2. three of Rome's emperor's: 

Trajan, Hadrian, Theodosius. 

3. Arab leader: 

Tarif. 

4. Albion: 

The earliest name we know for England. 

5. Isabel: 

A Queen of Queens and The Making of Spain. Christopher 
Hare. 

6. guiding Voice: 

(See Canto VII. 893-95.) 

I Samuel iii. St. Luke ix. 35. St. John xii. 28. Acts ix. 4. 

Plato's Symposium. 



Notes 285 

7. angel guide: 

Genesis xxii. 11-15, xxiv. 7. Psalms xci, xxxiv. 7. Exodus 
iii. 2, xiv. 19. Acts x. 3. 

8. Kublai Khan: 

(See Canto IV. 11 5-1 7.) 

9. Maximilian's son: 

Philip, son of Maximilian and Mary of Burgundy; m. Joan, d. 
of Ferdinand and Isabella. 



CANTO X 

1. ambition of a man: 

Cardinal Wolsey. 

2. thraldom of Rome: 

In the reign of Edward VI. the Book of Common Prayer was 
compiled, the Psalms translated. 

3. misguided Mary: 

"Mary Tudor" in Queens of Spain, Martin Hume. 

4. pastoral verse: 

When Sir William Jones sent home his translation of the 
Sakoontala the English public refused to beHeve it was from 
the Sanskrit, it was so much like Shakespeare. 

5. satiric strain: 

Milton in trying to undermine Calvinism cloaked his weapon 
so cleverly that the satire was not recognized. 

6. another planet: 

Uranus, called at first "Herschel" after its discoverer. 

7. Landseer moulded: 

Nelson's monument, Trafalgar Square, London. 

8. the great prose writer: 

Thomas Babington Macaulay. 



286 Notes 



g. Nettleship: 

No other English scholar has so well vmderstood the spirit of 
Plato. Richard Lewis Nettleship, Letters and Remains, 2 
Vols. London, 1897. 

10. saintly Catherine: 

Life of Catherine Booth, 2 Vols, F. de L. Booth-Tucker. 



CANTO XI 

1. martyred maid: 

Jeanne d'Arc, Mark Twain. 

2. Avignon: 

The papal residence and large church in which a pope is buried 
are the chief attractions of this French village. 

3. three successive kings: 

Charles VIIL, Louis XII., Francis I. 

4. Louis Conde de Bourbon: 

The great Huguenot leader, assassinated 1569. 

5. Rachel: 

Sketch of her life in Comedie Frangaise. Arsene Housaye. 
"And where she (Rachel) was it was impossible to care much 
for the presence of any other woman." — ^Letters of Charles 
Eliot Norton, 1913, Vol. I., page 311. 

6. Emperor evermore: 

Napoleon III. in Italy, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. 

CANTO XII 

I. on British isle his home: 

Wordsworth, bom 1770, in spirit belongs to Germany, as 
Sebastian Bach was probably a greater incarnation for him. 
"Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting." Stanza V., Ode on 
Immortality. 



Notes 287 

2. Thorwaldsen: 

(See Canto I. 482-83.) 

3. part of Christus: 

Anton Lang, 1900 and 1910. 

4. Tusk of boar: 

The wound by tusk of boar signifies excess of passion. 

5. brazen serpent: 

By this symbol Moses taught the Israelites the value of self- 
control. 

6. highest joy: 

(See Canto X. 227-34). 

CANTO XIII 

1. breaking laws: 

"When law perishes lawlessness falls upon the whole stock. 
When lawlessness comes upon it, O Krishna, the women of the 
stock fall to sin."— Lesson the First, Bhagavad Gita, trans- 
lated by Lionel D. Bamett. 

"Do you think that a state can exist and not be overthrown 
in which the decisions of law are of no force, and are disregarded 
and set at naught by private individuals? . . . For a man 
who is a subverter of law may well be supposed to be a cor- 
rupter of the young and thoughtless."— Plato's Crito, trans- 
lated by F. J. Church. 

2. still is action: 

"Without undertaking works no man may possess workless- 
ness, nor can he come to adeptship by mere casting off of 
works." — Bhagavad Gita. 

CANTO XIV 

I. credit to herself: 

The hfe of Mary Baker Eddy, by Georgine Milmine, in Mc- 
Clure's Magazine, February, March, May, 1907. 
Letters by Julius Dresser, Boston Post, Feb. 24, 1883. 
The Divine Law of Cure, Rev. Warren F. Evans, 1881. 



!88 Notes 

2. unlock the gates: 

(See Canto VIII. 598-601.) 

3. men equal are: 

The New Testament does not so teach. St. Matthew xiii. 11 
St. Luke viii. 10. 

4. in female form : 

Susan B. Anthony, George Eliot, George Sands, are some of the 
mascuUne spirits incarnating in a woman's body. There are 
many on earth to-day. 

5. and Cain's descendants: 

"And God cursed Cain." Genesis iv. 11. 15. This curse was 
that Cain's descendants shovdd be black. 

6. and not the best: 

The Great Psychological Crime. T. K. The Indo-American 
Pub. Co., Chicago. 

7. who fail in faith: 

Hebrews xi. 6. 

8. number have and color: 

Number and color taken together show the quantity and quality 
of work required during the soul's progress. 

9. color: 

There are three prime colors: red, yellow, and blue. The 
prism divides these into seven. The black lines that show on 
the spectrum are produced by rays of "earth red " ; mingling with 
the prime colors these produce the prismatic colors. The first ad- 
mixture gives brown; this is usually the earliest color the unfold- 
ing soul shows. The earth red worked off, we have the pure 
flame red; this, mixing with yellow, gives the different shades of 
rose and pink . Where the earth red mixes with the yellow we have 
orange. Yellow and blue combined give green; where the earth 
red mixes with green it gives a dull, cloudy green; when with 
dark blue it produces indigo; or when more of the earth color 
touches the blue, purple is the result. 

There are seven shades to each prismatic color except blue, 
which has fourteen shades. Where the earth red touches the 



Notes 



lightest shade of the first seven shades of blue it makes Ulac. 
This is often mistaken for the highest color, as the seven light 
blues or "N" waves are not visible on the spectrum, the 
vibration becoming too rapid. When the earth color touches 
the "N" or Ughtest blue waves they turn black. Young souls 
who are brown do not mind coming to earth again and again. 
Even orange is comparatively easy to work off leaving yellow. 
Purple takes longer, often requiring a number of lowly lives 
to clear and leave the blue. Black must come to earth again 
and again as grey, and finally begins its upward path, coming 
into red when some great trial, some upheaval of the spirit, 
comes which fans the apparently dead embers into flame once 
more. 

10. then number too is given: 

While the seed is germinating, before the blade is above ground, 
the soul does not show color. During this period come our 
cipher lives. First three, then two, then one cipher, then 
numbers, as 20>^, lyj^ or 39>^. The first whole number given 
to us is 39, part of which is worked off in successive lives until 
such a number is attained as can be finished in one lifetime. 
3, 7, Q, II, 13, 17, 19, 21, 27, are all numbers of the first order. 
3, 7, 9 are of the first class, first order; 11, 13, 17, second class 
first order; 19, 21, 27, third class, first order; 5, 10, 15, first class, 
second order; 4, 6, 8, first class, third order, and so on. Even a 
five with a good color may do a better work than a 7 or 9 with 
a poor color. Certain numbers are good only in connection 
with certain colors. Three is the highest number for a genius; 
9 and II the next; 7 and 13 make the greatest psychics, and so 
on. 

11. candlestick: 

St. Luke xi. 33-36. 

12. every cycle: 

There are seven cycles or petals to each flower. Each flower 
has three candles and three inner circles; then the circle of 540, 
and lastly the outer circle of 5040. 

13. conscious souls: 

When souls have received number and color they are said to be 
budding or unfolding. When they have gone as high as the 
seventh sphere they are called developed souls. All threes, 
most blue and yellow sevens, and some blue and green nines, are 



290 Notes 

developed souls. There are manly degrees of developed souls. 
Socrates (3 and light blue) was so fully developed as to be nearly 
conscious. On reaching the ninth sphere souls become con- 
scious. Usually conscious souls coming to earth have no 
number, though rare, conscious souls have come in every 
age. Tao, Elisha, Buddha, John the Baptist, Joan of Arc, 
Swedenborg, Tolstoy, Baha UUah, are some of these. 

14. to all nations: 

Abdul Baha visited the United States in 191 2. 

15. perfected soul: 

Perfected souls are those who have completed their work in the 
terrestrial spheres and are ready to be archangels, yet choose to 
incarnate for a special work. Abdul Baha is the first one of 
these since Mary of Nazareth, who came for the purpose of 
highest motherhood. Jesus, the Perfect Man, was an arch- 
angel, the only one ever bom on this planet. 

16. John Fitch: 

See Historical Collections of Connecticut. 

McMaster's History of the United States, Vol. I., pp. 432-35. 

Life of John Fitch, Westcot. 

17. Have been found: 

While this was being written the news came that Cook and 
Peary both claim to have discovered the North Pole, which 
assuredly neither one found, though Peary did good work. 
Later comes the news of the discovery of the South Pole by 
Amundsen; yet he has failed to find the Antarctic people. 

18. oldest of all our country: 

I count Yucatan as part of Egypt. 

19. Juno be discovered: 

A planet nearer to this earth than Mars has been observed by 
several astronomers. It will probably receive the name of its 
first discoverer and later be called Juno. 

CANTO XV 

I. then all shall prophesy: 
Joel ii. 28. 



Notes 291 

2. for all mankind: 

St. Luke ii. 14. 

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good- will 
towards men," is the version of the angel's song in the Prot- 
estant Bible. The Catholic Bible gives another translation of 
these verses: 

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of 
good will." Some day these verses will read thus: 
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will to 
Mary." 

3. a thousand years: 

Revelation xx. 4. Rhea will then be in the third sphere. 

4. my mother and my brethren: 

St. Matthew xii. 50. St. Luke viii. 21. 

5. ideal child: 

(See Prologue, 71-72.) 

Rhea's ideal child is Freedom. The cosmic ideal child is Love. 

6. to bread stones turning: 

In the account of the feeding of the five thousand, St. Mat- 
thew xiv. 16-21, we usually think of the multiplication of 
loaves and fishes; yet no doubt Jesus could have turned the 
stone to bread as the Tempter suggested earlier, St. Matthew 
iv. 3. 

7. the higher wisdom twelve were taught: 

St. Matthew xiii. 1 1 . 

8. Nirvana: 

"If any teach Nirvana is to cease, say unto such they lie. If 
any teach Nirvana is to live, say unto such they err." — Light 
of Asia, Book the Eighth. Sir Edwin Arnold. 
Nirvana is one of the most misunderstood words used by mod- 
em writers. The teaching regarding this was the same as that 
of the Lord Jesus who admonished His disciples to go in and 
out and find pasture. St. John x. 9. The word Nirvana in 
Sanskrit means going in and out. The Chinese call it The Yin 
and the Yang. When the secret of this going is known and 
practiced properly, with closed door, there is a union of the 
incarnate ego with the Over Soul which makes for spiritual 
advancement. 



292 Notes 

9. flames of fire: 
Hebrews i. 7. 

10. life and spirit are: 

St. John V. 63. 

11. golden candlestick: 

Revelation i. 12, 13, 20. Exodus xxv. 31. 

12. narrow gate: 

St. Matthew vii. 13. 

13. ministering spirits: 

St. Luke xxii. 43. Hebrews i. 14. 
Psalms xxiv. 7. 

14. preserved: 

The Apocryphal New Testament. 

Giotto's fresco in Santa Maria del Arena at Padova. 

15. overcome: 

Revelation ii. 11. 

16. two trees do grow: 

Zechariah iv. 3. Revelation xi. 4. 

17. He bore for us: 

Romans v. 6-21. Revelation iii. 21. 



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